Word to the Wise
Friday, September 8, 2023 - Sept. 8 - The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
[Micah 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30 and Matt 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23]FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
[Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30 and Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23]
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. [Romans]
From 1994 to 1998, I was pastor of St. Ann Parish in San Antonio, TX. The church has a remarkable set of stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin, especially scenes from her youth!!! The source of these traditions is a second century document known as the Protoevangelium of James. Although not considered to be inspired scripture, this document had a big influence on the development of Marian devotion in the church. [For those who would like to explore this in depth, I highly recommend MARY - THE COMPLETE RESOURCE, Sarah Jane Boss, ed.]
The incredibly rich Marian tapestry of faith and devotion that includes the two dogmatic declarations of Catholic faith - the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption - can obscure simple human facts about her. She had to have been born to human parents at a given point in history and raised as a first century Jewish female child until she was able to be pregnant, which is when inspired scripture takes over the story. The choice of September 8th as her birthday seems lost in early church liturgical history, but one thing is for sure. It's not a good idea to forget Mom's birthday. This feast day makes sure we don't forget. AMEN