Weekday Reflection: Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Mi 5:1-4 / Mt 1:1-16. 18-23)
Everything that exists exists for a reason. And every thing
that comes to existence, comes to existence also for a reason. Each birth of a
person into the world entails a twofold unfolding. The first unfolding is that
of a unique story whose main character is that person given birth. The second
unfolding is the story of the greater scheme of things—the unfolding of God’s
great plan—where the person given birth is continually invited to participate
in.
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed
Virgin Mary. The event of the salvation of the world is but the culmination of
the story of the life of Jesus Christ. And the story of Jesus would not come to
pass if it weren’t for the story of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary
herself.
When Mary was born, the whole creation groaned in excitement
for the imminent restoration of the world.
We know very little about the life of Mary, but what we do
know suffices for us to affirm that she played her part well in the unfolding
of God’s great plan. Mary knew of the promise of Yahweh that a savior shall be
born into the world from the line of David. The whole people of Israel, from
one generation to the next, await for the fulfillment of God’s saving promise.
Mary knew this both in her mind and in her heart. She trusted that what God has
promised, He will fulfill.
The announcement by the Angel Gabriel that she was chosen by
God to be the mother of the Savior was the crucial fusion of the twofold
unfolding stories. Before the annunciation, Mary thought she was only a
spectator in the unfolding drama of salvation. She thought she was just one
among the audience looking towards the stage where the plan of God slowly
unfolds. Then, that great event happened. The spotlight turned around and spun
towards where she was. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on her. The whole creation
gazed in surprise and excitement. She was called to step out of the darkness of
her audience seat to walk towards the bright and open stage of the whole
theatre of life. The Angel Gabriel asked her, “Shall you play a major role in
the drama of salvation?” “Are you willing to step out of the dark anonymity of
spectator life, and step into the bright but blinding light of being in the
center stage; the center stage where everything about you—your life, your
dreams, your joy and pain—shall be under the watchful but scrutinizing judgment
of everyone?” Mary’s response was a simple yet pregrant “yes”.
Mary was well aware that it would be a miracle for her to
conceive child without any relation with a man. Mary was well aware that she
would be placed under social stigma when people come to know that she bears a
child out of wedlock. Mary was well aware that Joseph, to whom she was
betrothed, might reject her. Mary was well aware her own family, relatives and
friends may not understand what has happened to her, or perhaps even believe
her story of divine visitation by an angel. Her jump from dark anonymity to the
blinding light was swift, abrupt, and decisive. But in all these, she believed
and trusted in God’s promise. She believed that God has a great plan, and when
she came to know that she shall play a crucial role in this great plan, she
trusted that God would never fail in his plan—if she gives herself totally to
it.
The unfolding of her life and the unfolding of God’s plan
beautifully merged in her simple “yes” to God.
