Today is the Feast of the Nativity of Mary – Mary’s birthday! This September date relates to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8. If Mary was conceived on December 8, then she was born on September 8, nine months later.

“Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s birth. However, the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James fills in the gap. This work has no historical value, but it does reflect the development of Christian piety. According to this account, Anna and Joachim are infertile but pray for a child. They receive the promise of a child who will advance God’s plan of salvation for the world. Such a story, like many biblical counterparts, stresses the special presence of God in Mary’s life from the beginning (Source).”

The most important bit on which to reflect is the comment: “the special presence of God in Mary’s life from the beginning.” What holds true for Mary, holds true for each one of us: God is present in our life from the beginning. And, God is present through our lives in each day, each moment. In every good thing, and in every bad thing. God is present even in a pandemic.

Have you not seen God’s presence in the many acts of love we’ve all witnessed? I’ve seen God’s presence in the health care workers, nurses especially. I’ve seen God’s presence in the young men and women who load groceries into the trunk of my car. I’ve seen God’s presence in the loving and selfless acts of care and love within my own community. I know it is difficult to see God’s presence, or experience God’s love, when we can’t be with a loved one who is dying, or when we see a young life taken too soon. The moments of grace will be revealed in time; this is the hope of the Christian, or anyone who professes the one God.

I’m not sure what others believe, but I do know, that as a disciple of Jesus, and one who professes the triune God, I’m called to hope, and to reveal to others the love of God, and the presence of God in all ways, and in all circumstances.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Retrieved from https://www.ccvichapel.org/post/the-nativity-of-mary

On the header, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary painted by Giotto.