TODAY’S GOSPEL READING – 8 SEPTEMBER

TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
8 SEPTEMBER, 2025
Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.
After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.
Now 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.”

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!

𝙍𝙀𝙁𝙇𝙀𝘾𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉

The long genealogy of Jesus reminds us that God’s plan of salvation unfolds through real people and real history. In the fullness of time, that plan found a dwelling in Mary. Her birth is not just a beginning but a sign of hope, for through her, Emmanuel comes—God with us. Mary shows us that God works through the humble and the willing. Today, as we celebrate her nativity, let us ask: Am I ready to let God’s promise live in me? With a heart like Mary’s, grace finds a home.

The Gospel of Matthew presents the genealogy of Jesus as a tapestry of God’s fidelity woven through human history. Within this lineage, Mary emerges as the humble yet chosen vessel through whom the Word became flesh. Her birth is not just a personal beginning but a pivotal moment in salvation history, for in her life, God’s long-awaited plan finds its turning point. The celebration of her nativity is thus a feast of God’s providence—reminding us that in the ordinariness of human births, God prepares extraordinary works of grace.

In Matthew’s account, the angel assures Joseph that the child conceived in Mary is of the Holy Spirit and shall be called Emmanuel—God with us. This mystery would not have unfolded without Mary’s own existence and her “yes.” Celebrating her birth is more than honoring her life; it is acknowledging the dawn of our redemption. Just as every birth carries the hope of new life, Mary’s nativity brings the ultimate hope: the promise of Christ’s coming into the world through her womb. She is the bridge between God’s promise and its fulfillment.

For us today, Mary’s birth is an invitation to trust in God’s plan in our own lives. Like her, we are part of a greater story written by God, even if we do not always see its fullness. The nativity of Mary reminds us that God works through human history, through families, through ordinary lives, to bring forth His extraordinary grace. As we honor her birth, we are also reminded that our own lives—no matter how hidden or small—can be instruments of God’s Emmanuel presence in the world.

PRAYER

Almighty Father,
On this joyful feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we praise You for the dawn of salvation. From the line of Abraham to David, through generations of waiting and hope, You prepared a pure and humble dwelling for Your Son.

In Mary’s birth, You revealed the nearness of redemption. Through her “yes,” the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. As St. Augustine taught, “Mary is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley, Christ the Lord.”

Lord, grant us hearts like Mary’s, humble, obedient, and open to Your will.
Through her maternal intercession, may our families be strengthened in faith, our communities united in charity, and our lives filled with hope in Christ Emmanuel, “God-with-us.”

Bless this new day, O Lord, with the joy of Mary’s birth, and lead us to celebrate worthily the mystery of her Son, our Savior and Redeemer. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Mary Our Mother , Pray for us.