--- title: Daily Gospel Reflection for September 8, 2016 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary description: Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/09/08/daily-gospel-reflection-september-8-2016-nativity-blessed-virgin-mary#) # Daily Gospel Reflection for September 8, 2016 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sep 8, 2016 5:30:19 AM  |  by [Gospel Reflections Team](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/gospel) [![Gospel Reflections 800x800 gold outline](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Gospel-Reflections-800x800-gold-outline-400x400-772.png?width=400&height=400&name=Gospel-Reflections-800x800-gold-outline-400x400-772.png)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Gospel-Reflections-800x800-gold-outline-772.png) ***Today's Gospel: [Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23](http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090816.cfm) - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary*** Where you come from is important. Your family shapes who you are, for better or for worse, and there's nothing we can do about it. They are yours and you are theirs. What does today's Gospel say to us? It says to me that, whether you come from kings or servants, you are ordained by God to be where you are. He has not given us our mother and father by mistake. He has not given us our brothers and cousins and children by mistake. Jesus' line was marked out for him long before his parents were born. It is not by mistake that Mary is betrothed to Joseph, a descendant of King David. It is not by mistake that Joseph chose to let Mary stay with him. Family is not meant to be a burden; it is meant to be a gift, but sometimes we forget that when we start to think about the imperfections of our parents or grandparents. David, though a king, was an adulterer and murderer. Ruth was not Jewish but adopted her mother-in-law's faith. Jesus' family is not perfect and yet God still chose them. Family can shape us and we can also shape them. ### Ponder: What do you think of Jesus' family? Do you sometimes blame your unhappiness on the circumstances of your family? How can you help to shape your family into better Christians? ### Pray: Heavenly Father, I pray that you bless my family this day and give me the grace to see them as your sons and daughters. Allow our hearts to open in acceptance of one another and cast out any judgment or spite.   *Copyright 2016 Kiera Schaff* Kiera lives in St. Louis with her husband and dog. She loves the outdoors, cows, and her morning coffee. Read more from Kiera at [missionaryoutofmissions.wordpress.com](http://missionaryoutofmissions.wordpress.com). ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F09%2F08%2Fdaily-gospel-reflection-september-8-2016-nativity-blessed-virgin-mary%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F09%2F08%2Fdaily-gospel-reflection-september-8-2016-nativity-blessed-virgin-mary%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F09%2F08%2Fdaily-gospel-reflection-september-8-2016-nativity-blessed-virgin-mary%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Daily%20Gospel%20Reflection%20for%20September%208%2C%202016%20-%20Nativity%20of%20the%20Blessed%20Virgin%20Mary) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F09%2F08%2Fdaily-gospel-reflection-september-8-2016-nativity-blessed-virgin-mary%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F09%2F08%2Fdaily-gospel-reflection-september-8-2016-nativity-blessed-virgin-mary%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Gospel Reflections Team](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/CM%20DGR%20Gospel%20Team%20profile.png) ### [Gospel Reflections Team](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/gospel) Our Gospel Reflections Team is comprised of more than 100 volunteers. We invite you to join us daily to reflect upon the Liturgy of the Word and thank our volunteers for sharing their gifts. ## Related Blog Articles [ Daily Gospel Reflection for August 29, 2016 - Passion of St. John the Baptist Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/08/29/daily-gospel-reflection-august-29-2016-passion-st-john-baptist) [ Daily Gospel Reflection for February 28, 2017 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/02/28/daily-gospel-reflection-february-28-2017) [ Daily Gospel Reflection for March 28, 2016 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/03/28/daily-gospel-reflection-for-march-28-2016) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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