Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

We are all called to be sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father by conforming our lives to the image of His Son through the Holy Spirit. From the beginning of time we were created in God’s Divine Image. Our own image may have been marred by Adam and Eve, but it can also be restored by the New Adam and Eve, namely Jesus and Mary. Both Jesus and Mary offer us perfect models of holiness, showing us how to think, speak, and work in the world, but remain virtuous. Their lives reveal to us how to know, love, and serve God and His children so we might be worthy coheirs to the Heavenly Kingdom. Jesus and Mary manifest and magnify God’s Will just as we all are asked to in our own lives. And if we do so by answering the call to love and mercy, then we shall be justified by our bonds to Christ, and ultimately glorified with him and his Most Holy Mother.

Are we acting like true sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father? How can we become more Christ and Mary-like in our bodies, minds, and hearts? In what ways is God calling us to manifest the His Divine Image?

O Lord, conform us to the image of Jesus as you did with regards to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Amen.