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| “Birth of the Virgin” by Le Nain brothers, c. 1645 |
Commentary:
First Option: Micah 5:1-4a
Commentary on Mi 5:1-4a
The Prophet Micah, a contemporary of the Prophet Isaiah, speaks in the voice of God (“Thus says the Lord…”) prophesying that the Messiah will come from the Clan of Ephrathah. At that time, this group was synonymous with the town of Bethlehem which was roughly 5 miles South of Jerusalem (see Joshua 15:59 and Ruth 4:11). The reference to the origin of the ruler as being “of old” is a reference to the ancient line of King David.
Eight centuries before Christ, Micah foresees that Israel’s domination by foreign powers will end only with the Messiah. The intervening years are seen by the prophet as analogous to the labor pains of child birth. His prophecy is consistent with the Emmanuel oracle from Isaiah 7:15. The passage concludes with the attributes of the future monarch, that he will not only bring peace, but “he shall be peace” (even clearer in the Jerusalem translation “He himself will be peace”).
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Or :
Second Option: Romans 8:28-30
Commentary on Rom 8:28-30
St. Paul outlines the call to a life in Christ. He reflects that God so loves his children that he called some individuals to participate in his redemptive plan at a deeper level. Because Christ existed eternally, those called to him were carefully chosen or elected from the beginning of time to be called to salvation. These “elect,” because of their unwavering service to God, will also be glorified. The Church recognizes this call to holiness. It also recognizes that, while all are called, those who accept this call must do it from the heart (on-going conversion) in order to be justified and glorified. Created with free will, many will choose an easier path. This passage is among several that are central to the Calvinist idea of predestination. (Note: This reading used on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary clearly points to her glorious vocation and the honored place she has in heaven and on earth.)
CCC: Rom 8:26-39 2739; Rom 8:28-30 1821, 2012; Rom 8:28 313, 395; Rom 8:29 257, 381, 501, 1161, 1272, 2790
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 13:6ab, 6c
R. (Isaiah 61:10) With delight I rejoice in the Lord.
Commentary on Ps 13:6ab, 6c
Psalm 13 begins as an individual lament. However, the final strophe captures the hope in the mercy of God and the faith to accept his call.
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Gospel
Long Form: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23
Commentary on Mt 1:1-16, 18-23
Beginning with Abraham, this passage from Matthew’s Gospel traces the ancestry of Jesus through thirty eight generations. From a scriptural standpoint this family tree was necessary, especially the final 14 generations (twice 7 the perfect number) from the birth of King David on. The oracles of the prophets, that the Lord fulfilled in his birth, spoke of the Messiah as coming from the stump of Jesse (King David’s Father) and of being of the house and line of David. The lineage described insures that the Gospel reader will know that Jesus indeed fulfilled what had been promised by God.
CCC: Mt 1:16 437; Mt 1:18-25 497; Mt 1:20 333, 437, 486, 497; Mt 1:21 430, 437, 452, 1507, 1846, 2666, 2812; Mt 1:23 497, 744
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Or
Short Form: Matthew 1:18-23
Commentary on Mt 1: 18-23
Following the genealogy, St. Matthew presents a shortened narrative about the nativity of Jesus (relative to those in Mark and Luke). While more is said of St. Joseph ’s encounter with the messenger from God, the story of Mary’s virginal conception through the Holy Spirit is described. In the account of St. Matthew a sense of fulfillment is communicated most clearly as he quotes Isaiah as predicting the conception of Christ in Isaiah 7:14.
CCC: Mt 1:18-25 497; Mt 1:20 333, 437, 486, 497; Mt 1:21 430, 437, 452, 1507, 1846, 2666, 2812; Mt 1:23 497, 744
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Reflection:
“The Blessed Virgin was predestined to be the Mother of God in the eternal plan for the incarnation of God’s Word. By decree of God’s providence she was, here on earth, the loving mother of the divine Redeemer, the noblest of all his companions, and the humble servant of the Lord. In conceiving Christ, in bearing him, in nursing him, in presenting him to the Father in the temple, in sharing her Son’s passion as he was dying on the cross by her obedience, her faith, her hope and burning love, she cooperated in a way that was unique, in the work of the savior in restoring supernatural life to souls. She is therefore a mother to us in the order of grace.”
From the dogmatic constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council
(Lumen gentium nn. 61)
One of the nuances that make the Catholic Church unique in the eyes of other Christian sects is our deep admiration for and dedication to St. Mary. Because much of what we accept about Mary, the Mother of God, is taken from non-biblical sources, many of these other communities find it difficult to understand our love of the Queen of Heaven. Today’s celebration is one more of those occasions where we can help them understand.
Since the sixth century, the Church has had a special celebration honoring the birth of St. Mary. She takes her place at the base of the branch of the limb on the family tree that included King David, and that produced Jesus of Nazareth, the Savior and Christ. We join the Lord Jesus, whose mother she became, in thanking God for the event that would ultimately demonstrate God’s love for us all. God did this by providing a vessel for Jesus that was pure and free of all worldly contamination. (Indeed we believe that her conception was immaculate, the genealogy of original sin was broken for her.)
The birth of the Theotokos (the Mother of God) is for us like a great chorus of cheers that begins the final lap of a great race. Using the race analogy, her birth to Saints Anne and Joachim was God’s great burst of energy that infused his great plan with the final piece needed to complete his act of sacrifice that would save us all.
Just as we thank God for all his creation, the earth he made, the life he placed upon the earth, and all that he has given us since, we thank him especially for the gift of the life of St. Mary. It was through her obedience and courage that she brought us a child that would be the revelation of God’s love, Jesus Christ.
Pax
In Other Years: Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
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