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Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

Jesus’ genealogy is full of all kinds of characters! Some were great men, like Abraham, Boaz, David, and Hezekiah. Some were quite awful: Uzziah, Ahaz, and pretty much all the other kings. Even the great kings committed great sins. 

All the women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy were of questionable repute: a trickster, a prostitute, an enemy of the Chosen people, and an adulterer. Yet God loved each of them so much that they are, nonetheless, a part of Jesus' earthly family.

One thing all those named in Jesus’ lineage had in common is they were all sinners. Save one.

Mary, whose birthday we celebrate today, was pre-redeemed by God, who is outside of time, so that in the fullness of time, God Himself could become man. Though preserved from original sin, Mary still had free will. Yet, she always said yes to grace and did God’s will. Mary is, for us, the perfect role model.

So, do not be afraid to take Mary into your home. We should have statues and/or pictures of Our Lady in and around our houses. She serves as a reminder that God always sends us the grace to do His will. We, like Mary, need only to cooperate with that grace.

Do not be ashamed to admit that we indeed honor the Mother of God. We could do no bigger honor than God Himself has already done by choosing her to be Jesus’ mom.

Do not hesitate to call on her for help. A mother’s prayers are especially powerful from Heaven, and Mary’s are the most powerful of all. She wants nothing more than for all her children to be able to join her in Heaven.

So, today, bake a cake or buy some cupcakes, gather your children together, light a candle, and sing “Happy Birthday” to Mary. 

 

Ponder:

 

Can you imagine Jesus and Mary smiling from Heaven as your children sing “Happy Birthday” to her?

 

Pray:


Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us in spite of our faults and failures. Through the intercession of Blessed Mother Mary, may we, too, become women of grace, bringing Jesus into the world. 

 



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Copyright 2025 Kelly Guest

 

About the Author

Kelly Guest

Kelly Guest

Kelly Guest is the author of Saintly Moms: 25 Stories of Holiness. For over 30 years, she has worked in various ministries in the Church, beginning with her five years as a Dominican sister. She is now the Director of Family Faith Formation at her parish. She lives with her husband Paul and their nine wonderful children in the rolling country hills of Maryland.