Camping out under the stars on long nights

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

September 8, 2017

Rm 8, 28-30; Mt 1, 18-23

The birth of a new child always fills us with great joy. I can recall very vividly the birth of my younger sister even though I was only three years old then, the birth of my two nieces and of the children of many of my close friends. I am sure that you can recall similar experiences as well. We attracted by the beauty, the perfection and the delicateness of a newborn child. But as we look at the newborn baby we also wonder who the child would become once he or she grows older. Who knows what would his or her future be! Who knows what gifts and joys might this new person bring into the world!

Today, as we gaze upon Mary, on the day of her birth, born from St Anne and St Joachim, similar thoughts cross our mind, only that we know how the future turned out not only her her - but also for us. If we pay attention to the prayers in today's Liturgy we will notice that there is reference to the "dawning of salvation" and the "daybreak of salvation". If you have ever slept out under the stars, in a place free from light pollution, as I had the opportunity of doing a couple of times while out camping, you will soon realise that the sky appears so dark sometimes that you wonder how the next day can ever be so bright. Then, at a given moment you start noticing a lighter hue to the sky. The dawn, daybreak, announces the rising of the sun, just as the birth of Mary announces the beginning of our salvation.

Although some of us might never have been out camping or sleeping under the stars, we have all experienced long, dark nights in our life. Whether on a personal level, or in a relationship with our spouses or in our families or even on a level of community, we have all had our share of nights where it seemed impossible to even think that the sun will rise again and shine brightly again in our lives. Perhaps we can say so also on a level of society. We can be so much overwhelmed with the changes occurring around us, while at the same time discouraged because we fail to see the changes we hoped to see. We might be impressed so much by the hatred that still exists in the hearts of many that we fail to notice the gentleness in the eyes of many others. Again we ask ourselves, will the sun shine brightly again on our world?

The birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the dawn, the daybreak in the long, dark night of our lives. Today's feast is a sign of hope of the salvation that Jesus brings into our life. For Jesus is the light which illuminates even the darkest corners of our lives, our darkest sins, frustrations and failures. This was possible only because Mary said "yes" with her whole being, she cooperated with God so that we may have salvation through Christ.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary continue to be for us a clear sign of hope of salvation, not only as something that happened 2000 years ago, but which is happening here and now. As we contemplate the birth of Mary, may we start already enjoying the fruit of Christ, the true light in our lives.