“He Has Looked with Favor on His Lowly Servant”

“Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?” (Song 6:10).

“She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley,” says St. Augustine.

Truly the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who has become our Mother as well (Jn 19:27), has grave significance in regard to God’s plan for the salvation of the world and for the salvation of each of us personally.

As we celebrate this day, Sept. 8^th, where the Catholic Church commemorates the birth of Mary, are we able to truly enter in as a celebration of the birth of our personal Spiritual/Heavenly Mother?

Are we able to find great meaning and significance for us personally as we enter into this feast day, reminiscing on the profound mystery of this moment in time as the “Mother of God” comes forth from the womb of St. Anne.

And, even more importantly, are we able to allow ourselves to contemplate the mystery of her Immaculate Conception that took place nine months earlier, and all that it encompasses.

This woman that is born is not just any woman; but she is the one woman, the one creature in all the world, in all times, who from the moment of her conception has given herself totally to God and His Holy Will, without holding anything back.

Yes she had received a special grace at her Immaculate Conception, to be freed from the stain of original sin. But, as well, she could have chosen at any moment, as Adam and Eve did, to act out of her human will apart from that of the Divine Will. Yet she didn’t.

And, as well, she was tested more than anyone else. As we know, “the more that is given, the more is expected” (Lk 12:48)

If we delve still deeper into this Immaculate Conception and birth of Mary, we find at the heart of this mystery the Divine, indwelling presence of the Most Holy Trinity. We find a deep and profound communion of life and love between Mary and our Triune God. Because precisely from the moment of her Immaculate Conception she was invited to enter into a nuptial, espousal communion of life with God, to last throughout all eternity.

So what is it that we may gain through contemplation on this profound mystery, but an invitation to us as well to press into this mystery with our own hearts… allowing that deep void and longing within us for perfect communion with love to surface; that we may dispose ourselves as well to this great love our Divine Bridegroom has for His bride.

May we be one with Mary in her union with the Holy Spirit in their stance: “the Spirit and the bride say come! Come Lord Jesus!” (Rev 21).