Today we celebrate the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We do so because this birth was not incidental to God's plans to bring forth the messiah, destined to rule all of Israel, whose origin was from of old. Micah wrote that not just anyone would be given the privilege of giving birth to the savior, but that is was rather reserved for the one whom he called "she who is to give birth".
Mary was the one destined to become a new Eve, succeeding in obedience where the first Eve failed through disobedience. The first Eve squandered the grace she had been given, choosing to decide right and wrong for herself, letting her trust in her creator die in her heart (see paragraph 397 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church). But the new Eve lived in a way that remained faithful to the fullness of grace she had been given (see Luke 1:28), and did so throughout every moment of her life. When she didn't understand she chose to trust rather than to decide for herself apart from God. She remained an active part of his plan, staying involved by asking for clarification, but never doubting that the God who made the universe could in fact clarify what was ambiguous or hidden. The first Eve had succumbed to the wiles of the serpent in the garden. The new Eve was the one who, through her offspring, would crush the head of that same servant. Her obedience was the first step in opening a new and still better paradise to humanity.
And the rest of his brethren shall return
to the children of Israel.
Mary was a part of God's plan of blessing for the world. As with all who received a special election or who were chosen in a particular and exalted way, she was chosen not for herself alone but for the sake of the world. She was Israel in miniature, blessed in order to become a light to the nations. And the particular task for which she received these blessings was that of motherhood. She was blessed to be the mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we receive salvation. But her blessings extend also to the fact that she is meant to be our mother as well, just as we are meant to be brothers and sisters of Christ. John the Evangelist was the first disciple who was asked to take Mary into his home as his mother. But he would not be the last. She continues to fulfill her role of mother in bringing Christ to birth within the hearts of believers. She continues to help open the way to a new heavenly paradise for those who entrust themselves to her care. Wherever she is welcomed the serpent continues to experience defeat.
Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea (see Revelation 12:17).
We see in the genealogy of Jesus how meticulously God planned every detail that resulted in the eventual birth of the one who was to be his mother. When Joseph realized what he was dealing with he tried to extricate himself from the scene because he feared the holiness that was present and his own sense that he was unworthy. But not only Joseph, but we too, in spite of our more significant flaws, are invited to welcome Mary into our hearts and into our homes. As for Joseph, so too for us, she desires to reveal the savior. She longs for us to see the face of the one who is known as Emmanuel, God with us.
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