Homily: September 8 2015 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (School Mass)

There are many special feast days celebrated in honor of Mary: her Assumption, her Immaculate Conception, the Annunciation, and of course, today, the celebration of her birth.  The Feasts of

Our Lady are dear to us because she is our mother.  While Jesus was dying on the cross he gave Mary a special job, he told her that she was to be the mother of all Christians.  Jesus loved his mother with incredible love, and we are to do the same.

But, If you listen closely to all of the prayers of this Mass for Mary’s birthday, you’ll notice that Jesus is mentioned in every one of the prayers.    Even the Gospel, wasn’t the story about her birth, but the birth of her Son.  On Mary’s birthday, shouldn’t we just be focusing on her, shouldn’t we bake her a cake and sing her songs? Can’t Mary just have a day to herself?

Well, what would she say, if you asked her that? Mary would never want to be separated from her Son Jesus.  Her entire life points to Him.  Mary never is so selfish to just take a day to herself.  Her whole life is focused on giving Jesus to the world.

She remained always open, always listening, always ready, always faithful to God, so she could be a worthy mother for Jesus.  And just like she was always open, always listening, always ready, and always faithful, she teaches us, and she prays for us to do the same.

That’s what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and that’s why Mary is the perfect disciple of Jesus.  Her whole life was focused on Him.

When we are getting ready for our birthdays, we are often focused on what kind of birthday presents we want, what kind of decorations, what kind of cake, what kind of entertainment, what kind of food, we want.  Sometimes we are even upset, we get angry, when our birthday does go the way we want.  Mary, however, wasn’t selfish for a single moment in her whole life.  Every desire was to serve God.  On her birthday, no doubt, she thanked God for the gift of life, she thanked God for the gift of her parents, she thanked God for the gift of her faith, and asked God to help her always remain a humble servant.

So next time our own birthday comes along, let our first desire, be to ask God to be his servant, to have the Word of God in our minds and in our hearts, let us ask God for the gift of knowing how to serve Him best, for that is what will make us truly happy.  Not the iphone, not the video game, not the new pair of designer jeans, not the cake, not the decorations, serving God with our whole hearts, is what will make us truly joyful, like Mary.

Keep the example of Mary in your minds and hearts today, that you can follow her example of humble obedience and service to God for the glory of God and salvation of souls.