Lifted High

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090816.cfm) reminds me that God can easily lift up those who are dependent on Him, no matter what their earthly state is. 

Jesus said that the mustard seed is the smallest or one of the smallest seeds on earth. It looks very simple, maybe insignificant. But when it dies of itself and allows the earth to take over, it grows to a very huge tree. Very powerful, mighty, and useful - very far from the small seed that it was. This is what God can do to us who depend on Him. 

Today, we celebrate the nativity of Mama Mary. We see how God looks not on the worldly standards and accomplishments, but rather on the heart. He chose a simple woman from a simple town to be the earthly mother of Jesus. God did not choose a queen or someone from a powerful family. God chose someone with a pure heart, with a heart that would surrender to Him, and God lifted her up.

God loves to lift up those who are fully surrendered to Him. 

When Mama Mary said yes to the angel to be the earthly mother of the Son of God, she made no demands. She made no conditions. She humbly surrendered herself to God. We see that in the gospel, that she did not even ask what will happen to her, who will be her partner, and other details. She just surrendered to God and trusted that God will take care of everything. In the gospel, we see that when Joseph had plans of leaving Mary, God sent an angel to prevent him to – without Mary knowing and asking. God takes care of those who trust in Him.

We are encouraged to know what is important in the eyes of God. Not human achievements, not power or fame, not money or wealth, not physical beauty, not strength. God looks for a clean, humble heart that would surrender to him. That is all he needs to use us mightily, that is all he needs to fulfill his purpose in and through us. Let us work on having that.

What are my goals in life? Do I strive for human achievement, fame, power and money? Do I also recognize and work on things for God? Do I believe that he can and will use me mightily if I let him? Do I know that he only needs a clean and humble heart that will submit to him?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for sending Mama Mary to be our model of a servant, of a mother. Thank you for reminding me that you don’t need and wont look at my worldly achievements. Thank you for letting me know that all you need is a humble heart that will submit to you. Sorry for the times I focus on the wrong things. Sorry for the times I give too much importance on worldly accomplishments and achievements. Help me put things in perspective. Help me know what is important. May I always be inspired by Mama Mary’s simple yet great faith as seen in her life. May I always say “yes” to you, and may I always submit myself to you as Mama Mary did, having faith that you would take care of me and would do great things through me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/09/lifted-up.html

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September 8, 2016
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 636

Reading 1 Mic 5:1-4a

The LORD says:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah,
too small to be among the clans of Judah,
From you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel;
Whose origin is from of old,
from ancient times.
(Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time
when she who is to give birth has borne,
And the rest of his brethren shall return
to the children of Israel.)
He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock
by the strength of the LORD,
in the majestic name of the LORD, his God;
And they shall remain, for now his greatness
shall reach to the ends of the earth;
he shall be peace.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 13:6ab, 6c

R. (Isaiah 61:10) With delight I rejoice in the Lord.
Though I trusted in your mercy,
let my heart rejoice in your salvation.
R. With delight I rejoice in the Lord.
Let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”
R. With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise;
from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel  Mt 1:18-23

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”