by Jim Van Vurst, O.F M.

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Q U I C K S C A N

Why is Mary’s birthday important?
Is it the same as the Incarnation?
Why was Mary holy?
Did Mary know?

Readers reflect on Friar Jack’s musings

Why is Mary’s birthday important?

It is difficult for us to imagine not having Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in our faith, our Church and our very lives. She is indeed God’s gift. Jesus himself gave her to us as Mother when from the cross he told the apostle, John, “Behold, your mother” (Jn 19:27). Her importance in the Church is realized in all her feast days that tie her so closely to the whole story of salvation. September 8 marks Mary’s birthday. Ancient tradition tells us her parents were named Anna and Joachim (feast day July 26). Isn’t it good to know that Jesus had grandparents? This is another wonderful reminder of how “human” the Son of God became when he was conceived by Mary and took on a human nature like ours.

Is it the same as the Incarnation?

It is not unusual for people to confuse Mary’s Immaculate Conception (December 8) with the moment of Jesus’ own conception—the Incarnation (March 25). Mary was conceived by her parents the way all of us are conceived. It was at the moment of her conception by her mother, however, that Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin. Thus, she remained totally sinless throughout her life. The conception of Jesus, the Incarnation, was accomplished by the overshadowing of Mary by the Holy Spirit—a truly miraculous and mysterious moment in human history. Because Jesus is divine (as well as human), the Church rightly calls Mary the “Mother of God.”

Why was Mary holy?

It is also important to understand that Mary’s holiness was not a result of the conception of Jesus. If you think about it, any woman could have given flesh to the Messiah. Of course, God wanted the absolute best and prepared Mary for the role as mother of “the Son of God” (Lk 1:35). Her holiness was and is based on the very same fact that all the saints and all our holiness must based on: our seeking to live out the will of God and the gospel of Jesus.

One thing is absolutely certain: Mary, the “handmaid of the Lord,” sought God’s will every moment of her life and followed it perfectly. Jesus said as much when he answered a woman in the crowd who cried out, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts at which you nursed.” Jesus’ response was, “Rather blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (Lk 11:27-28). Mary was indeed privileged to be the mother of the redeemer. But more than that, Mary’s constant gift of herself to God and openness to God's gift or God’s plan for her was what allowed God to fill her completely with his grace and life.

Did Mary know?

When Mary began her life, she could not have known all that she would face and experience in the years to come. None of us can. But we know that there was never a single moment in her life, whether in joy or her terrible sufferings, that the Lord was not with her.

The same is true of our lives. Mary’s journey took her to the foot of the cross where her heart was pierced (Lk 2:35) just as Jesus’ heart was pierced by a soldier’s lance in death (Jn 19:34). If there is anyone we can look to for companionship on our own journeys, especially in times of suffering, it is Mary, Jesus’ own mother, whom he gave to us from the cross.

Friar Jack’s Inbox

Readers respond to Friar Jack’s musings on “There’s No Time for Stopping Along the Underground Railroad!”

Dear Friar Jack: I was very interested and then very disappointed in your article about the Underground Railroad. I would ask that you do not forget the important role Canada and Canadians played in helping American slaves achieve freedom. Rebecca

Dear Rebecca: I am very aware that Canada was an important destination for many slaves seeking freedom in the north. Maps on display at Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center clearly indicate that many slaves ended up in Canada. Other slaves farther south found refuge in Mexico, by the way. There are thousands of other important pieces of information at the Center, but I could not include them all.
Friar Jack

Dear Friar Jack: I enjoyed your article “There’s No Time for Stopping Along the Underground Railroad.” However, there was no mention of abortion, which I believe is the greatest injustice of our day. Just as the African-Americans of pre-1864 had no rights under the law, unborn Americans today have no rights protection under the laws of the States. There were probably many social justice issues of 1864 that needed to be addressed, but they all pale in comparison to that of slavery. Today we also have many social justice issues that need to be addressed, but they all pale in comparison to the 1.4 million abortions performed each year in our country. I’m surprised there was no mention of this in your article. Mike

Dear Mike: You’re right. Abortion is clearly an offense against human life and dignity. It should be included in any discussion of what oppresses and “enslaves” other vulnerable humans. There are, sadly, many other terrible violations of human freedom that were not covered in my short reflections on the Freedom Center. The following letter regarding the horrors happening in Sudan is a case in point. Friar Jack

Dear Friar Jack: I just read about a girl from Sudan who was captured and taken into slavery. The story was horrible about how she was starved, degraded and forced into a sexual relationship with one of those who had kidnapped her. The only thing that had kept her hope alive was the memory of a nun from the school that she had been captured from. This brave woman followed the kidnappers and saved 102 other girls from the fate that the girl herself had endured. Slavery is still alive and well in our world. When I think of the inhumanity that is going on as I write this, I can only pray for those who endure such suffering. Thanks for your writing about the topic and bringing to our awareness the freedom from slavery days. Keeping the Faith, Ellen

Send your feedback to friarjack@americancatholic.org.

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