Feast of the Nativity of Mary

Today is the Feast of the Birth of the Virgin Mary. Here, we are featuring a past homily from Father Barron on the inexhaustibly rich figure of Mary as well as an excerpt about her from Father's book, The Priority of Christ.

"Mary is a rich and multivalent figure in all of the Gospels. 

 

In Luke’s infancy narrative, she emerges as the spokesperson for ancient Israel, speaking, in her Magnificat, in the words and cadences of Hannah (mother of Samuel) ; and as the recipient of an angelic announcement of a miraculous birth, she calls to mind not only Hannah but also Sarah and the mother of Samson as well. 

 

In Matthew’s Christmas account, she is compelled to go into exile in Egypt and is then called back to her home, recapitulating thereby the journey of Israel from slavery to freedom. She is thus the symbolic embodiment of faithful and patient Israel, longing for deliverance. 

 

In John’s Gospel, she is, above all, mother—the physical mother of Jesus and, through him, the mother of all who would come to new life in him. As mother of the Lord, she is, once again, Israel, that entire series of events and system of ideas from which Jesus emerged and in terms of which he alone becomes intelligible. Hans Urs von Balthasar comments in the same vein that Mary effectively awakened the messianic consciousness of Jesus through her recounting of the story of Israel to her son. So in the Cana narrative, Mary will speak the pain and hope of the chosen people, scattered and longing for union." -The Priority of Christ, p. 73.

Here is a homily from Father Barron, reflecting on the figure of Mary and her role in the life of Jesus and the Church.

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us! 

SOURCE: Word on Fire