Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the 23rd week in ordinary time, September 8, 2025, Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Delivered by Valerie Sanda Hendrawinata from the Parish of Saint Paul in the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia. Micah 5: 1-4a; Rs psalm 13: 6ab.6cd; Matthew 1: 1-16.18-23.BLESSED BIRTH Our meditation today is entitled: The Blessed Birth.From the very beginning, the Church has celebrated the birth of the BlessedVirgin Mary as an event full of grace. Mary was conceived without the stain oforiginal sin, a special gift that prepared her to receive God's great calling.  She is a person who from her birth has been marked byholiness, so that the birth of Mary is a sign of hope for all humanity: thatGod is pleased to intervene in history to bring salvation. Thus, Mary's birth isa blessing to the whole world, for through her the Savior would be born. The event of Mary's birth speaks not only of a childbeing born, but also of God's great plan that is beginning to be realized inthe world. From Mary, angels brought the glad tidings that she would become theMother of God, conceived and gave birth to Jesus Christ, the Son of the livingGod. Mary's willingness to accept the news confirms that her life was dedicatedto the work of salvation from the beginning. In her humility and obedience,Mary became a channel of infinite grace for humanity. Mary, who was blessed from birth, did not stop at herrole as the Mother of Jesus, but became the Mother of the Church. From thecross, Jesus entrusted Mary to his beloved disciple, and from that moment onMary became the mother of all the followers of Christ. Her presence as Motherof the Church shows that Mary's birth was also the birth of God's maternal lovethat has always accompanied the Church throughout her history. Mary is theimage of tender love, which accompanies the Church in both joy and sorrow. The peak of Mary's life was seen when she was taken toheaven and crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her life, which began with agracious birth, ended with eternal glory with God. This is the promise of hopefor all believers: that like Mary, we too are called to begin life in grace,walk in faithfulness, and finally be united with God in the glory of heaven. The meaning of the blessed birth of Mary is very greatfor the Christian life. Her birth reminds us that every child born into theworld is a blessing and a work of God. In Christ, we are all also born againthrough baptism and become children of God. Like Mary, we are called to live ingrace, to keep life holy, and to open our hearts to receive God's call in ourdaily lives.  Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Father inheaven, we are grateful for the special gift in Our Lady who has always beenour helper and guide on the way of salvation so that we may become truedisciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hail Mary, full of grace... In the name ofthe Father ...