Today’s feast, the nativity of Mary, was celebrated in the Holy Land as early as the sixth century. Although there is nothing in the Bible which speaks of her birth she certainly was born and September 8 (nine months after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception) is as good a day as any to celebrate. The Gospel chosen for this day speaks not of Mary’s birth but of Joseph’s! Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. We might take that as a lesson in the humility of Mary. Although she was an essential participant in salvation history her particular story was not that important. We model ourselves on Mary when we too understand we are essential to the plan of God — if we don’t bring the Good News of Jesus into the world it won’t happen — while at the same time being not that important. It is not our winning personality or charm that makes us fit to evangelize but rather the grace of God in us.
