TUESDAY, TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Mi 5: 1-4 or Rom 8: 28-30 Ps 13: 6-7 Mt 1: 1-16, 18-23
MARY OUR MOTHER AND MODEL
Today we celebrate the birthday of our Blessed Mother. Heaven and earth rejoice at the birth of Mary as the salvation of the world comes closer. Jesus the Son of God, the Savior of the world will be born of Mary. Mary is our model in all aspects of daily living, but especially so when she shows us the manner of discerning and fulfilling the Lord’s will in life. Her whole way of life is a perfect pattern for us to follow. Jesus therefore urges us to imitate her example, adopt her attitudes, form her mind and heart within ourselves. Mary had a special relationship with the Holy Spirit, who enabled her to discern the will of God for her. This discernment and obedience was perfectly manifested in her fiat.
The Holy Spirit was active within Mary from the very moment of her conception. He sanctified her by applying to her, the fruits of redemption, in anticipation to her, thus preserving her immaculate soul free from every vestige or defect of original sin. From the first moment of her life Mary was a perfect temple of the Holy Spirit who was dynamic and operative in her sinless soul. Since Mary was immaculately conceived and preserved from all sin throughout her lifetime, the Holy Spirit could mold and transform her freely. Mary’s recorded words in scripture are extremely few, but what we can see of her way of life speaks eloquently to us of this deep personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Throughout her entire earthly sojourn the Spirit inspired, guided, comforted, and supported, Mary in her unique mission.
Filled with the Spirit, Mary was always attentive to the various means through which the Lord communicated His plan to her and also invited her to accept the role He had envisioned for her. God was pleased to reveal His plan to Mary in many different ways both directly and indirectly, through the words of scripture especially the prophecies of old and through the Angel Gabriel. Mary’s unflinching response to the Lord is a source of great inspiration for us.
Response: I will greatly rejoice in the Lord.
Copyright ©2026 ©Springs of Living Water https://springs.carmelmedia.in