The Birthday of Mary
ONE
Today, nine months after the Immaculate Conception of Mary, we celebrate her birthday on September 8. Today is the birthday of our spiritual mother…Pause
God does not need to use many words to make big things happen: God said, “Let there be light” and the entire universe sprang into existence. God said, “This is my body.” And bread was transformed into God in the Eucharist at the Last Supper. From the Cross God said, “Behold, your mother.” And from that moment Mary became our spiritual mother.
TWO
The Church, the Saints and probably our own experience teach us the more we deepen our relationship, love and trust in Mary our Spiritual Mother, the more she leads us to God Our Father.
Throughout this year when I have moments of leisure, I am drawn to the Rosary more and more rather than to the news or sports (probably because there hasn’t been any sports and the Bruins are out of the Stanley Cup)
The more I turn to Mary in the Rosary, the more she leads me to God my Father, to be grateful to Him, to want to get rid of my vice and sin for the love of Him. The fact is, Mary always leads us to the Father.
THREE
The human family is a reflection of the Trinity. As you may know, my grandson Cormac was born on June 1 while his father Nick was in Japan with the Marines. Well, in mid August, Nick finally returned from Japan and when he met his son, it was a riveting scene: My daughter Sara turned toward Nick with Cormac in her hands and she said, “So, have you ever held a baby?” “No” he replied “but there’s no time like the present.” And after two and a half months of separation, Sara handed Cormac to Nick and he embraced his son for the first time. The look of love on his face was so moving that, in a single moment, I completely understood the way God the Father looks upon us.
But, for whatever reason, many of us still struggle with developing a relationship with God the Father. Well, have you tried going to the mother of God first? Do what Cormac did, let you mother introduce you to the father. For, Jesus said, we must become like little children. Go to Mary, place yourself in her hands and she will take you to the Father to let his face shine down upon you with a big smile. That’s what mothers do. That is what Mary does for us. Trust the process.
FOUR
I watched how at first Cormac was frightened and unsure of about many things. He was so easily startled. But I’ve also watched Cormac let go of his fear and relax as he grows in trust of Sara and Nick, as he experiences their love and care.
Too often we try to protect ourselves by holding on to fear.
I can trust in God my Father and Mary my mother knowing that no matter what happens, all will be well. I am safe. God my Father and Mary my mother always provide a way. I no longer need fear to protect me. I am safe. No matter what happens, God my Father and Mary my mother have my back. I trust in them. I rise above the fear and trust the process.
FIVE
In True Devotion to Mary St Louis De Montfort beautifully expresses "the services which the Virgin Mary, as the best of all mothers, lovingly renders to those loyal servants who have given themselves entirely to her.[1]
Montfort sees in the story of Rebecca's maternal love for Jacob a symbol of Mary's proactive loving presence. On this point he says of Mary: Here is what this loving Mother does for her children to obtain for them the blessings of their heavenly Father: Like Rebecca she looks out for favorable opportunities to promote their interests, to ennoble and enrich them. She sees clearly in God all that is good and all that is evil; fortunate and unfortunate events; the blessings and condemnations of God. She arranges things in advance so as to divert evils from her servants and put them in the way of abundant blessings. If there is any special benefit to be gained in God's sight by the faithful discharge of an important work, Mary will certainly obtain this opportunity for a beloved child and servant and at the same time, give him the grace to persevere in it to the end. She personally manages our affairs.[2]
Montfort concludes:
It is true that on our way we have hard battles to fight and serious obstacles to overcome, but Mary, our Mother and Queen, stays close to her faithful servants. She is always at hand to brighten their darkness, clear away their doubts, strengthen them in their fears, sustain them in their combats and trials. Truly, in comparison with other ways, this virgin road to Jesus is a path of roses and sweet delights.[3]
[1] TD 201
[2] TD 203
[3] TD 152