Yesterday we focused on the importance of a name, specifically the names of the Twelve. Several people indicated that they had forgotten the names of several Apostles and were not aware of the duplication of names: two Judases, to Jameses.
Today we focus upon a birthday. How many birthdays are celebrated each year according to the liturgical calendar? Of course you are aware of today's birthday as well as the birthday of this woman's son, Jesus. But there is another birthday celebrated by the Church each year: John the Baptist.
Usually a birthday is celebrated by family members and very close friends. Like the significance of a person's name, the day of that person's birth is also important. Why? Well, it is a sign to others that God has worked another miracle! Yes, your own conception in your mother's womb and the nine delicate months of your physical formation. That is a miracle when you really stop and think about it. I have a friend who celebrates his birthday this month. It is important that I get a card and mail it to him soon because he is a man who remembers the birthdays of most of his friends ... and we are recipients of a short, meaningful note in a card ... not just randomly selected. Usually the card relates to something of the person's life or personality.
Obviously we celebrate Mary's birthday throughout the world each year. She, as the young girl, accepted the invitation to take on a special mission, a special pregnancy that gave us the Son of God. Is there any reason why we should not remember her birthday. It is no ordinary birthday.
We, her friends and relatives, we need to celebrate this day as a reminder of the great gift of wisdom that Mary became for the people of the world and for our Church. Mary was wise enough to trust her God's request with complete giving up of her will to the Father. When Mary recited "her prayer," the Magnificat, she shared with Elizabeth and all of us the joy that comes to those who trust in the Lord.
Let us remember Mary throughout the day, just as we would remember a friend on his/her birthday. Let us remember the joy she brought to those who knew her and those who have come to put their confidence in her.
