Gospel: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23
The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of
Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob
the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and
Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. 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:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall
name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
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Reflection:
We celebrate today the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Who brought us here in 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.
Jesus throughout His lifetime 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 Jesus, who guided Jesus and
who never left the side of Jesus until His last gasp for breath.
This is primarily the reason why we give so much honor to the Blessed
Mother; this is the reason why we ask her to bring our prayers before Jesus.
Because we firmly believe that the Blessed Mother can influence Jesus to grant
us our prayers.
Any righteous son will listen to his mother's request this is what we
believe that’s why until now our devotion to the Blessed Mother is as strong as
ever. On this birthday of the Blessed Mother let us continue to honor Her, let
us continue to spread our devotion for Her.
Let us also take a closer look at our own mothers. They are getting old,
their formerly nimble bodies are getting slower and weaker by the day. Let us
take care of them and let us honor and love them for they’re the mirror image
of the Blessed Mother.
How's your devotion to the Blessed Mother? How’s your Mother? Are you
properly taking care of her? - Marino J. Dasmarinas