Readings
I - Micah 5: 2-5
II - Mt. 1: 1-16, 18-23
NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Birthdays are significant in association with the relationship one holds with that person. We behold the birthday of our dear and near ones with joy and jubilation for unto us was that day given a gift so great, gorgeous and gracious. Today the Church celebrates the Birthday of the Blessed Mary, the mother of the Lord and the mother of all humankind. The Church solemnises the birthday of three persons only: John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus and Jesus, the long awaited Messiah, the promised One of God.
Mother Mary is the queen of the heaven and of the earth yet, she is the mother of us all, the sinful and the sorrowful; the weak and the lowly. Mother’s love is so supreme that it surpasses and supersedes all love here on earth. Her merciful look, kind words, compassionate heart, loving deeds, helping hands, hurrying feet to the needy child and her sacrificing life are incomparable that knows no bounds. Every mother is the personification of Gods’ love to her children and the mother of Jesus, given to us as our mother is the perfect reflection of the heart of her Son and our Lord Jesus Christ. In all her apparitions, Mother Mary exhorts people to pray so that they may align their lives unto the ways of God that leads to Heaven, the ultimate destination of all humankind.
We in Tamil Nadu in particular solemnise this day celebrating the feast of our Lady of Velankanni. A day dear to all the devotees of Our Lady of Good Health who flock to her church on foot with a mixture of emotions; joy, gratitude, sorrow, pain, suffering, hope, love, anxiety and faith. Unfortunately they must be confining themselves in their own places with the great nostalgia for the Basilica of our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Velankanni, due this pandemic. Let us pray for all the devotees of Mother Mary and all humankind as well. Let us invoke our Blessed Mother to wipe away Covid and restore the face of the earth. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Mother Mary, our Lady of Velankanni, Pray for us”.
