Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." 

We would all do well to remember Joseph's example of acceptance of God's Will. Just like Joseph, we are all called to welcome Mary into our homes because by doing so we also welcome the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and God the Father into our lives. Mary is the living temple of the Holy Trinity, wherever she is found the Triune God is found, too. As such, we should give Mary the veneration she deserves and learn from her how to know, love, and serve God and others as she did in her most holy and chaste life. The more we imitate Mary, the more we can incarnate Christ through our thoughts, words, and works. She constantly pours graces upon us when we seek her aid in prayer and meditation. She is our Mediatix and through her we not only received Christ, but also his love and mercy as well. We owe Mary a great debt of gratitude and the best way to repay that debt is to become faithful followers of her Son and loving children of God.

Are we afraid of accepting Mary into our lives? How can we welcome her into our every thought, word, and work? What can we learn from her in regards to how to live the Christ-like life?

O Lord, just as Joseph welcomed Mary into his home, so may we let her into our hearts.

Amen.