Monday 8th September – Feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reflection: Romans 8: 28-30

BORN FOR A PURPOSE

Birthdays are one of the most joyous days each year for most of us. We often look forward to our birthdays and take time to celebrate amidst good will messages and prayers from friends and family members. Beyond the joy and feasts we have as we celebrate, each birthday should lead us into a moment of reflection as we look to the past year and see if we have by our way of life made choices that will lead us to the great future and to fulfilling the divine purpose for our existence.

You and I were born for a purpose. Our presence in this life is no accident and a successful future consists not in becoming very rich or famous but in fulfilling God’s divine purpose for our creation. Today, the Church celebrates the birth of our Blessed Mother, Mary. It doesn’t matter whether or not she was born on this date in particular however what is more important is that she was born and walked through this same earth we find ourselves now. She was born with a specific purpose – to bring into our world God Himself in human form and she lived to fulfil this purpose.

Dear friend, you were born for a purpose. St Paul reminds us that God cooperates with all who love him and turns everything to their good, in accordance with His purpose. Take out time to reflect in prayer and discover God’s purpose for your existence and let each new day and each birthday you celebrate be a reminder that you are not yet done with that purpose. In addition, let us take the example of the Blessed Virgin, that of a total surrender to God’s will for our lives. May we be strengthened by our Blessed Mother’s intercession so that we too may live to fulfil our purpose.

PRAYER: Dear Father, you have created me for a purpose. Help me to surrender myself to you always, grant me direction for my life and give me the grace to follow you willingly. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 59 – Why did God make man?

God made everything for man. Man, however, who is “the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake” (GS 24, 3), was created in order to be blessed. This happens when he knows, loves, and serves God and lives in gratitude toward his Creator.

 HIDE A TREASURE: “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” Romans 8: 28 RSV-CE

 Readings for Today: Romans 8: 28-30; Psalm 12: 6-7; Matthew 1: 18-23