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, incidentally today is also the birthday of my Mother she is now seventy three years old.
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 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
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