THE ELDEST OF MANY

PRAYER PAUSE 

Thursday 8 September 2016, Our Lady’s Birthday

THE ELDEST OF MANY

Pause. Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading: “They are the ones he chose especially long ago and intended to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many.” (Romans 8:28-30)

Reflection. Jesus is the eldest of many. And Mary – “the daughter of her Son” in Dante’s words - is the eldest of his siblings. Today, nine months after the Immaculate Conception (Dec 8), we celebrate her birthday and apply to her Paul’s words about those “he chose specially long ago.” The dignity of Mary as the most human of all of us, the one who fulfilled everything that is possible for a human, is the focus of our joy and encouragement. Her whole being responded to the call of God in a way we can only faintly grasp.

Prayer. Lord Jesus, we rejoice in the gift of Mary, the Mother you share with all of us. May she help each of us to reflect your image.  Amen