The Grace of God-HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR I (NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2023

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The Grace of God-HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR I (NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2023

Micah 5:2-5a; Ps.13; Matthew 1:1-16,18-23

The Grace of God

Ordinarily, it is the death day of saints that is celebrated in the Church because their death translates to their birthday in the real life of heaven. There are only three exceptions to this, namely: Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist. Today, we celebrate the natural birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We celebrate the birth of one who was Immaculately Conceived; a singular privilege granted her by God in view of her role for the salvation of the human race.


Consequently, the birth of Mary meant a new dawn in the fulfilment of God’s plan for our salvation. It is because God so loved the world that is why He prepared Mary specially for us. The birth of Mary teaches us that God’s way is never like ours. Who would have thought that God will choose such a humble but remarkable way in bring about the salvation of the human race? Today’s celebration also speaks of the purposeful creation of God. God has a purpose for creating us. When we attune ourselves to God’s purpose for us, we will find true fulfilment.


We celebrate the birth of Mary today not on account of where she was born or the family she was born into, but on account of her impact to humanity, her cooperation with the grace of God. Beloved, greatness is not tied to our places of birth but to the quality of impactful relevance/service we give to the society. You do not have to be rich in order to be great; you only have to be loving for you to be great. True greatness comes through service not material acquisition. If our world will bless the day we were born, it can only be because we have positively impacted the world.


Mary was born with Grace and she lived her whole live cooperating with that Grace. You and I have been saved by Grace. The extent to which we cooperate with this Grace determines our eternity in Grace. Be the best you can to the world around you.

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