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Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year II Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 08 September 2026 Romans 8:28-30 ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*> Matthew 1:18-23
It is the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary but your words, O Lord Jesus, spoke more about St. Joseph your foster father.
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…. (Matthew 1:18-20).
Thank you, dear Jesus for being like us, for coming like us in all of our human vulnerabilities: birth is always a grace from the Father lest we forget; in your coming to us, Jesus, you have showed how Mary and Joseph faced not only their toughest tests but most of all their vulnerabilities they gladly embraced that you finally came among us!
Mary humbly submitted to being your Mother, entrusting everything to God who sent an angel to explain everything to Joseph so Christmas would happen; how amazing that Mary's pregnancy was revealed to Joseph while he was asleep, when he was most vulnerable, without full control; Mary on the other hand submitted her full control to God when your birth was announced - what a beautiful lesson for us to remember on her birthday on the need for us to embrace our vulnerabilities because as St. Paul assured us, "We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
O blessed Mother Mary, pray for us to be more trusting in your Son Jesus, submitting ourselves wholly to his will by embracing our vulnerabilities, becoming fully human and blessed to share Christ like you and Joseph. Amen.
