It’s September! On the 8th we celebrate the birthday of our blessed mother Mary. It is a special time in the year when parents take pains for 9 days to bring their children to mother Mary for the special protection. We will really never know in how special way she has protected our children until may be we are in the next world and look down upon them.

There is a meditation that directs you to close your eyes, become still and listen- to the song the angels sang when you were born. Try it.

Now imagine the song the saints and angels sang when Mary was born. Imagine the love which God the father looked down on Mary whom He had chosen to be the mother of His son Jesus. It must have been His delight to watch Mary grow in wisdom, purity, humility, obedience- perfect for the plan for salvation. Fast forward to Mary’s bethroval to Joseph, who also was chosen by God to be the foster father of His son-a man of integrity.

Mary was told by angel Gabriel that she was to be the mother of God. She said yes. Joseph was told in a dream by an angel about Mary. He offered himself to be the spouse of Mary and foster father of her son Jesus. He said a yes without consulting anyone. Mary and joseph remained faithful to the yes in all the circumstances.

1. In obedience to their parents they went to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth who was also pregnant. One wonders who helped whom. Mary made no excuses about being pregnant to avoid duties. Six months later, Joseph and Mary made their way to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Long distance travel with the help of a donkey was not easy, with pregnancy added on.

2. At the birth of Jesus in a stable, their silent acceptance was a yes to God. They went about doing what had to be done, they did not ask why? – Not then or ever. That was asked only to Jesus when He was lost and found in the temple- “son why have you done this to us”?

3. At the presentation in the temple, Simeon made a strange prediction, “this child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel…” Joseph and, Mary listened with humility and simplicity. There was no argument about the promise of angel Gabriel that “He will be great and will be called the son of the most high and the lord will give him the throne of His ancestor David”.

4. Mary’s greatest yes was when walked alone (without St. Joseph), silently with Jesus all the way to Calvary. She joined Jesus in forgiving every single person who shocked Him, beat Him, scourged Him, kicked Him and messed up His entire body finally hammering nails in His hands and feet.

Mary stood at the feet of the cross for three and a half hours in silent worship. She sat only to hold the sacred body of her beloved son, in her arms for the last time. Together with Jesus she accomplished God’s marvelous and perfect plan to save us all from hell and open the gates of heaven for us.
Mary’s assumption had to be. Imagine once again the celebration of Mary’s coronation as the queen of heaven and earth. Her mission to save us sinners has not ended. Her apparitions are not for healing but a call for prayers and repentance.

It is fitting here to mention St. Joseph, who never pushed himself into the limelight. Jesus and Mary came first in his life. He was God-fearing, obedient, patient, sensitive, and receptive- all that Mary needed as a spouse.
In this year dedicated to St. Joseph, on my side I have added him in the rosary, i.e. “Holy Mary, mother of God and St. Joseph, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.” We need St. Joseph in our homes and family prayers that our family members may be like him.

On this beautiful feast of our dear mother and always, may you experience the power of Jesus, the gentleness of Mary and the silent support of St. Joseph, especially to be able to say ‘yes’ in every circumstance.

-J.Rodrigues