Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection –8 September – “Looking around at those seated in the circle, Jesus said: ‘Here are my mother and my brothers’ “

One Minute Reflection –8 September – Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Readings: Sedulius, Ps 44:2, Prov 8:22-35, Matt 1:1-16

The Lord begot me, the firstborn of His ways, the forerunner of His prodigies of long ago; from of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the earth.

Prov 8:22-35

REFLECTION – Rightly indeed does the Virgin Mary, who truly conceived the first born of all, hold first place in the congregation of the just. For Christ is “the firstborn of many brethren”. And so, in the divinely inspired scriptures, what is said in general of the Virgin Mother the Church is said individually of the Virgin Mary; and what is said in the particular case of the Virgin Mother Mary is rightly understood of the Virgin Mother Church universally; and when mention is made of either, it is to be understood almost indifferently and conjointly of both.

Every faithful soul, spouse of the Word of God, mother, daughter and sister of Christ, is understood to be a virgin with her own form of fertility. This is said of the whole Church, more particularly of Mary, and individually of the faithful soul, by the Wisdom itself of God, the Father’s Word. Therefore, the text continues: “I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord”. The inheritance of the Lord universally is the Church, more particularly Mary, and individually every faithful soul. Christ abode for nine months in the tent of Mary’s womb; he abides until the consummation of the ages in the tent of the Church’s faith; he will abide for ever and ever in the knowledge and love of the faithful soul.

Isaac of Stella (?-c.1171) Cistercian monk

PRAYER – Lord God, the day of our salvation dawned when the Blessed Virgin gave birth to Your Son. As we celebrate her nativity, grant us Your grace and Your peace. Through Christ, our Lord, Your Son in union with the Holy Spirit. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, amen.