Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
We celebrate today the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is interesting to take note that even though it is the birthday of Mary, nothing is mentioned about her birth in today’s readings. They do not tell us when, where or how Mary was born. Sa buong Banal na Kasulatan ay walang nakasulat tungkol sa bagay na ito.
The gospel reading is on “how the birth of Jesus Christ came about” and on “the virgin shall be with child.” It puts the significance of Mary’s birth within the context of Jesus’ birth. Her conceiving and giving birth to Jesus gives Mary’s birthday its true significance.
Pero ang tinutukoy nating pagdadalantao at panganganak ni Maria kay Hesus, na nagbibigay ng tunay na kabuluhan sa kapanganakan ni Maria, ay hindi lang ‘yung physical or biological conceiving and giving birth na minsan lang nangyari – at siyang pinagdiriwang natin kapag Pasko. Bagkus, ang tinutukoy natin ay ‘yung pagdadala at pagluluwal ni Maria kay Hesus sa lahat ng kanyang inisip, pinili, ikinilos at ginawa. Mary’s entire life was a continuous conceiving and giving birth to Jesus. It was a continuous incarnating of the Good News of Jesus. Such kind of life gives Mary’s birthday its true significance.
Remember the words of St. Gregory of Nyssa, “What was achieved in the body of Mary will happen in the soul of everyone who receives the Word.” What St. Gregory is saying is this: When we receive God’s Word…when we let the Word-made-flesh to dwell in us…when, like Mary we are able to say, “Fiat…May it be done to my according to your Word” – when we do that, the Incarnation happens in us.
We are called to incarnate Jesus by being living signs of his loving presence and his tender mercy. Dapat maging incarnation tayo ng kanyang pagkalinga at pagmamahal sa kapatid nating binabalewala at di pinapahalagahan ng lipunan. Dapat maging incarnation tayo ng kanyang pagkupkop at pag-aaruga sa kapatid nating walang tumatanggap at nagpapasilong. Dapat maging incarnation tayo ng kanyang pakikiisa at pakikiramay sa kapatid nating naghihirap at nagdurusa. We should be an incarnation of his generous love by sharing our blessings, especially to the needy. We should be an incarnation of his compassionate love by showing our solidarity with our suffering neighbor. We should be an incarnation of his merciful love by forgiving and loving those who hurt us.
Like Mary, may our life find its meaning and fulfillment in our giving birth to Jesus and in our bringing him to others. Araw-araw ay maaari nating maisilang si Hesus kung nanaisin natin. Every time we show kindness to people, we give birth to Jesus. Every time we practice generosity, we give birth to Jesus. Every time we love without condition, we give birth to Jesus. Let the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary be a moment of grace for us…to help us give birth to Jesus…to help us incarnate the love and mercy of God.
Parokya ni Osong 