Feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mt 1,1-16,18-23

Brothers and sisters. We know that when building a church, a house, or any other building, the architect plays an important role. The architect is responsible for designing and drawing up plans for the building. Ultimately, his role is twofold: to create the building so that it is aesthetically pleasing and functional.

We could say that in the history of salvation, there is the most critical architect, who is God himself. When we read the Holy Scriptures, we can see how God beautifully and wisely directs the different periods and how carefully he selects the individuals who shape these events. In this sense, we can reflect on the event of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and her arrival in the world. As a skilled architect, God fulfilled both essential aspects in the birth and life of the Virgin Mary: Mary was born as a beautiful temple of God, untouched by the stain of original sin. At the same time, Mary received her mission from God. This mission is expressed in the presidential prayer at the liturgy of the feast of her birth; namely, that Mary’s birth announced the birth of the light of the world — Jesus Christ. The Virgin Mary is presented here as the most important of God’s creations – her spiritual beauty and her mission to give birth to the Savior of mankind make her the greatest of all.    

Perhaps non-Catholics could criticize us for celebrating the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, as this event is not directly referenced in Scripture. Indeed, although it is an ancient festival that has been celebrated since around the 5th century, the events surrounding the birth of the Virgin Mary are mainly drawn from the apocryphal gospels, which were not accepted by the Church as inspired Scripture, as well as from the Church’s tradition. However, when we take a closer look at the Holy Scriptures, we see that God prepared for the coming of the Virgin Mary from eternity. After the first people sinned, he announced the arrival of a woman in paradise who would be beyond the Devil’s power. At the same time, biblical scholars have identified several figures in the Old Testament as being images of Mary, who would become the sanctuary of God. One of the most beautiful is the comparison of the Virgin Mary to the Ark of the Covenant. We know that God instructed Moses to make the Ark of the Covenant exactly as He instructed. It was intended to be a sign that the holy God was present among his people. It was a beautifully decorated box in which essential items were stored: the two tablets of God’s law, manna as miraculous food, and a testimony to God’s care for his people in the form of Aaron’s staff, which blossomed. We can certainly compare the Virgin Mary to this Ark of God. Through her birth, God began to create a sanctuary within her for Jesus, who was born from her. The Holy Spirit also descended upon her, and she conceived and gave birth to her child through the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary, the new Ark, was watched over by angels, through whom God often spoke to her. Therefore, Mary’s birth was no coincidence. On the contrary, every step in history was directed towards this, as evidenced by the long genealogy in Matthew’s Gospel. Many biblical personalities came first to fulfil their destiny with the name of Mary.

Brothers and sisters, it is essential for us to to discover the legacy of this holiday. What can we learn from Mary’s birth? Firstly, that every person’s life should come from the union of man, his prayers, and God’s promise. Joachim and Anna were unable to conceive for many years, despite being very devout, and they undoubtedly suffered when others wrongly judged them to be unloved and unblessed by God. However, they did not give up; instead, they sought God’s will. They kept praying, and their prayers were answered. I recently experienced this myself when I approached my husband. After several years of not being able to conceive, their prayers were answered. They were not tempted by the various possibilities of artificial insemination, but trusted that God would hear them. The moment they surrendered to God, accepting His will, God’s purpose began to be fulfilled. God blessed them with a new life. This is a lesson for us all: we should not try to control everything, but surrender ourselves to God. Therefore, a person’s birth does not depend solely on our desires or circumstances. I knew cases where husbands prioritized housing, careers, security, and certain material comforts, as well as a life without moral inhibitions; and years later, they told each other, ‘Now is the time to have a child’. ‘Now is the time to have a child’. But the child did not come. It’s as if it all depended on our decision alone, as if God’s will didn’t matter. The second implication of the circumstances surrounding the birth of the Virgin Mary is that our difficulties, crosses, and sufferings also have meaning on our journey to God. Mary’s birth was not without its unexpected twists and turns. After all, Mary was engaged to Joseph, and they certainly had a vision of how they wanted to live. However, God intervened and changed their plans. He certainly encouraged Mary and Joseph not to be afraid of the various trials that would come.

We all know how long we live now. For a long time, there was less division, sin, malice, and tension. But let’s keep in mind that today’s complex situation can also be an opportunity for us to realize that God still cares for us and will not abandon us, even when we suffer. Let this cross not break us, but lead us to greater humility. Let us continue to shape our conscience through prayer, adoration, and receiving the Eucharist, and through acts of love for others, remembering not to think only of ourselves. The important thing is to think mainly of others, especially at such a difficult time. May God help us in this, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.