Mary, the Bearer of the Life of the World

Nativity of the Blessed Mother |September 8, 2019 | Pink Sisters

INTRODUCTION:

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. In our Gospel we will hear the Genealogy of Jesus; the long list of the names of the men and women from Abraham to Joseph and Mary, and how God gradually lead history to the birth of Jesus of which the Blessed Mother play the important role.

Today also, we celebrate the 144th founding anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word or the SVD by St. Arnold Janssen, who as well founded the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in December 8, 1889 and the Holy Spirit Sisters of Perpetual Adoration on December 8 1896; all on the feasts of the Blessed Mother. In view of this, our Liturgy today will be on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and not the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

To be less unworthy to partake in this celebration, let us call to mind our sins and be sorry for all of them.

HOMILY:

Our Gospel is a portion of the Genealogy of Jesus, a long list of names of men and women belonging to generations of history of Israel, a list that narrates the gradual fulfilment of the promise of God to send a Saviour, King and Messiah. In this grandiose and salvific plan of God, revelation had to take place upon a culture, historical time, particular place, and in our case the revelation had to be a human being; taking his body from the womb of prepubescent Virgin Mary. The role of Mary is essential.

Have you seen the movie The Lion King? Remember the scene where Rafiki the sage monkey or mandrill, presented Simba to the Animals of the Pride Lands? That is the role of Mary gives birth to Jesus and presents Jesus to the broken World. She is the monstrance that presents the living bread to the world.

Mary gives birth to Jesus in a broken world. There is this story narrated to us by our former superior General Heinz Kuluke, SVD, 2 years ago today in Pink Sisters Cebu. This story is found in the Book "Sharing Gifts - Stories from the Missions.” It is a story recounted by an Albanian missionary nun. During her time, under the regime, celebrating the Mass was prohibited by the government. The church was greatly persecuted, there was large anti-catholic sentiment in the country, and priests were put in jail, some tortured and murdered. Celebration of the Mass was prohibited. In such a gloomy scenario there were 5 nuns who managed to work underground, and distribute Holy Communion to the people.

How do they do it? They managed to sneak in Consecrated Hosts from outside the country using a statue of the Blessed Mother. The statue has a hallow portion at the bottom which big enough to hide the Blessed Sacrament to be distributed for months.

This scenario repeats the scenes where Mary bears Jesus from one country to another, and giving birth to him into a situation of darkness for a second time. In that story we are reminded how many times did Mary give birth to Jesus midst the darkness of the world.

How about to us? What is the role of the Blessed Mother? We have heard several times that Mary is our intercessor, our Queen. But allow me to add another role of Mary in our lives a Christians today.

Mary is a reminder of unity. In the Gospel of Luke, Mary’s role in unifying everything ; to keep all these things in her heart, was mentioned in two separate instances. In (the visit of the Magi) 2:19 and the losing and finding of the boy Jesus on the temple, 2:51. The Word to keep is rightfully translated as σιμβαλην sym- ballein which literally means to put together., -to Unite, to join together.

It is the opposite of the movement διαβοήν diabollein which means to separate or to tear apart, to put asunder into two (dia), to divide. Therefore, Mary is our model of unity who keeps together while the diablos divides or to tears apart.

When the family lives in love, understanding, solidarity, forgiving each other, helping each other, contributing to the needs of one another, and work to be together always in one way or the other, Mary lives in that house, community or in that marriage. After all, Mary is the spouse of the the Holy Spirit, who is the animator of communion.

Mary is our example of youthfulness. In our Gospel today, Mary asked questions from the Angel Gabriel. Do not be afraid to ask questions, especially to the youth. But make sure your questions about life, about society, about growing up, and about yourselves, are questions of purpose. Make sure your questions are sincere. Ask questions and seek God in whatever you do. Pope Francis reminds you, ask the Lord what he wants from you and do not be afraid.

Mary is a model of silence. She kept all these things her heart. She made sense of everything that had happened in contemplative silence. It is a pity that most young people is losing this, and how noises have taken their tool in your well-being. Many young people are victims of depression because we struggle to be part of the world of relentless self-promotion and self aggrandizement, a world where we struggle to be in the limelight, and certainly a world that is at odds with the values of the Kingdom, hinders them from hearing the voice of God, telling them they are loved.

As we proceed with this Eucharistic Celebration, reflect upon the Eucharistic role of Mary. In the Eucharist, Jesus comes to us from the table of the Eucharist just as he did 200 years ago from the womb of the Blessed Mother.

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