Gospel: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23
Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.
David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.
After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Who brought us into this world? It’s our mothers. Who formed us during our younger years? It’s our mothers as well. To whom do we largely attribute who we are today? We attribute it to our mothers.
Throughout His lifetime, Jesus was guided by the Blessed Mother. From His birth up to His death on the cross, the Blessed Mother was there for Him. She is the ever-present and patient mother who nurtured Him, guided Him, and never left His side until His last breath.
This is primarily the reason why we give so much honor to the Blessed Mother; this is also why we ask her to bring our prayers before Jesus, for we firmly believe that she can intercede with Him on our behalf.
Any righteous son will listen to his mother’s request. This is what we believe; that’s why, even until now, our devotion to the Blessed Mother remains as strong as ever. On this birthday of the Blessed Mother, let us continue to honor her and to spread our devotion to her.
Let us also take a closer look at our own mothers. They are growing old, their once-nimble bodies becoming slower and weaker by the day. Let us care for them, honor them, and love them, for they are the mirror image of the Blessed Mother.
The Blessed Virgin Mary reminds us that motherhood is not only about giving life, but also about selfless love, patient guidance, and unwavering presence. When we honor her, we honor the heart of every mother who silently sacrifices for her children.
How is your
devotion to the Blessed Mother? And how are you showing your love and gratitude
to your own mother? On this feast day, will you choose to deepen your devotion
to Mary and express your love to your mother before it’s too late? — Marino J.
Dasmarinas
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