Predestination of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Wednesday of 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, September 8th, 2021 Texts: Rom. 8:28-30; Ps. 13:5.6; Rom. 8:28-30 Today is the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is held that the celebration originated from Jerusalem. We are called to reflect on the  birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. With her birth, our salvation was nearer than before. The birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary was another dawn in the history of salvation; it was a decisive step to the fulfilment of Messiah. Today's first reading shows us that the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was in the plan of God from the beginning. St. Paul says, "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren."  The word shows that the coming of Christ in human flesh was decided before the creation of man; for if the coming of Christ in human flesh was decided after the creation of man, Adam would have been the first-born of all creation, not Christ. Adam was created in the image and likeness of Christ. God formed the image of His Son in Adam. This means  God has plan for everyone. God foreknew us means He knew us before we were created. God is our creator, His foreknowledge of us refers to His knowledge of us because He created us.  Blessed Virgin Mary was prepared beforehand in view of her motherhood. God freed her from original sin at birth and filled her with grace. This shows that God always prepares us for the task He has for us. God will not ask us to forgive, if he will not give us grace to do so; He will not ask us to love our enemies, if He will not give us grace to do so. The gospel reading shows that the Blessed Virgin Mary gave to Jesus Christ human birth while Joseph granted Him the descent of King David. The birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary was the birth of the flesh of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  

Lord our God, thank You for the gift of the Blessed Virgin Mary to us and to humanity in general; grant that we may imitate her. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke