Tuesday, 8^th September 2020

THE BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Traditions records that St Mary’s parents were named Joachim and Anna, but Scripture tells us nothing of her birth. From very ancient times the Church, however, has thought fit to keep this day to recall the birth of her to whom her cousin Elizabeth said, ’God’s blessing is upon you above all women’(Luke 1:42)

Collect

Heavenly Father source of all perfection you gave the grace of sanctity to the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of our Lord: make us, like her, holy in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eucharist Readings:

1 Corinthians 6:1-11                 Psalm 149:1-5                Luke 6:12-19

In our Gospel reading Luke is drawing our attention to the way Jesus prayed all night before making the momentous choice of the Twelve which means Jesus had communion with God. Out of the larger company of those who responded to his teaching he chose twelve apostles.  

Jesus called the twelve into being and a community was formed. He started equipping and teaching because maybe when they were called, they were unequipped, they were open to teaching, they were willing and committed. Jesus also called them to be his friends and it is interesting how Jesus needed human friendship. It is the very essence of the Christian faith that we can say in all reverence and humility that God need people and the blank in His heart will be filled when the last person comes home. Jesus knew the end is coming and he chose the apostles to be His living books. They were to company with Him that they might someday take his message to all people.

Jesus chose them from his disciples which means learner and they were chose to learn more and more. A Christian, a person whose life is spent on learning about that Lord whom he/she will someday meet face to face and will then know even as he knows. Jesus chose them to be apostles and in Greek it means to be sent out. The Christian is sent out to be an ambassador for Christ, not only by their words but by their life and deeds.

The twelve were ordinary people. Not wealthy, not famous, no special education. As if Jesus said give me twelve ordinary men and I will change the world. The work of Jesus is not in the hands of people who the world calls great, but in the hands of ordinary people like us. Just as Jesus called Mary, although there is no record of her birth, she was just an ordinary girl, no special education, not famous but God chose her to bore his Son.

God chose us, ordinary people to send us out, proclaiming his message and be the living books for him, not only through our words but through our deeds and lives. He is also equipping us as we journey with him.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege to be in community with you, thank you for choosing us to be your living books and ambassadors and that we will never stop learning from you. Like the grace of sanctity, you gave to Mary, make us, like her, holy in body and soul. Amen