September 08, 2025 Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Readings: Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23
Today, the universal Church rejoices in the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrating the dawn of salvation in the birth of the one chosen to be the Mother of God. Mary’s identity as both Virgin and Mother often puzzles human logic, yet it reveals the divine mystery of God’s plan. Chosen to bear the Son of God, she herself came into existence through God’s special intervention, born without original sin (celebrated on December 8) and destined to bring forth the Saviour (celebrated today, September 8). Whatever Mary is, she is because of Jesus, her Son, and in honouring her, we glorify Him.
The Prophet Micah foretold a ruler emerging from the humble town of Bethlehem-Ephrathah, a descendant of David, who would bring peace and shepherd His people with the strength of the Lord. This prophecy finds fulfilment in Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, the “House of Bread”, who would become for us the Bread of Life (John 6:35). When the Magi sought the newborn King, the scholars of Herod’s court pointed to this very prophecy.
Matthew’s Gospel presents Jesus’ genealogy, portraying Him as the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of David and Son of Abraham. Remarkably, it includes women of varied backgrounds, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and finally, Mary, the purest of them all. God’s salvific plan works through both the ordinary and the unexpected, embracing all humanity.
In the Annunciation narrative, Joseph, a righteous and silent man, becomes a model of faith. Faced with Mary’s mysterious conception, he seeks God’s will and supports her unconditionally. Through Mary’s “yes” and Joseph’s trust, Emmanuel, God with us, enters human history. Mary’s birth, then, is a prelude to the Incarnation: the arrival of God who dwells among us.
Call to Action: The more we discover Mary, the more we discover Jesus. How well do I know Jesus, the Son of God?
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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