Happy Birthday Mary

"Today this created world is raised to the dignity of a holy place for Him who made all things. The creature is newly prepared to be a divine dwelling place for Creator."---St. Andrew of Crete, bishop

 

Today, the Church celebrates the birth of Mary. Before I was Catholic I never even thought much about Mary. She was just a tool in the toolbox of God. I thought catholics worshipped her as if she were equal with Jesus. I was mistaken. Her birthday is the best day to explain why she is so honored by Catholics and the Orthodox Church. She is the vessel by which God becomes man and thus salvation, hope, grace, and love enters the world. She carried God within in her womb. She gives God His flesh and blood that He would in turn give for our salvation. She is the Mother of the Eucharist. Her birth is the fulfilment of the prophecy in Genesis 3: 9-20 where God says, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between her seed and yours." Her seed? Her birth made hell shudder! Satan knew the prophecy. The Church teaches that she is the Ark of the New Covenant, holy from conception, ever virgin, a pure vessel. Every generation will call her blessed. Why? Because she carried GOD in her womb. To honor Mary is to give glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. She was chosen to be the one to bring the second Person of the Trinity to us all. This is day of rejoicing! What will we give as a gift to our Mother?  

 

wkm