The #Conception and #Birth of Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin #Mary
Beloved brethren in Christ, let us draw near with reverence and awe as we contemplate the most glorious and wondrous event of Our Lady’s conception and birth—a mystery so profound that its significance reverberates through the ages, touching both heaven and earth. It is an occasion we celebrate not only with joy, but with deep reflection, for in her birth, the dawn of salvation began to break upon the world. Our Lady, the Holy Virgin Mary, is no mere woman, but the chosen vessel through whom the Word became flesh. Her sanctity, purity, and role in the redemption of humankind are unparalleled in all creation. She is, as the Scriptures and the Holy Fathers have proclaimed, the mother of God, the Theotokos.
The Prophetic Promise of Her Coming
The Virgin Mary’s birth was foretold from the dawn of time. Her appearance in history was not a mere accident, but part of God’s eternal plan for the salvation of His people. Before the heavens were stretched out and before the foundations of the earth were laid, God had ordained that through her, His Son would enter the world as the Savior of all. The prophet Isaiah, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declared, "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit" (Isaiah 11:1). This prophecy was not only about Christ, but also about His mother, the pure shoot of Jesse’s line.
Our Lady's lineage was divinely appointed. On her father’s side, she descended from the royal house of King David, and on her mother’s side, from the priestly line of Aaron. Through this holy lineage, both the royal and priestly offices were united in her, symbolizing the confluence of God’s kingship and priesthood in the person of Jesus Christ, whom she would bear.
The Miraculous Conception: A Gift from God
The story of her conception begins with her parents, Joachim and Anna, a devout and God-fearing couple who longed for a child. Like the righteous women before her—Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth—Anna was barren, and both she and Joachim grew old without offspring. Their hearts were heavy with grief, for they had no heir to continue their family line. Yet, in their barrenness, they never wavered in their faith, continually presenting their supplications before the Lord.
One day, after a long period of fasting and prayer, the angel of the Lord appeared to them with a message of hope. To Joachim, the angel said, “The Lord has heard your prayers, and your wife Anna shall conceive and bear a daughter, who will be the joy of the whole earth.” To Anna, a vision was granted, in which she saw a radiant dove descending from heaven and resting upon her head, a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s work in her womb. She rejoiced, knowing that the child she would bear would be no ordinary child, but one who would bring forth the light of the world.
The Birth of the Virgin Mary: A Joy for All Creation
On the seventh day of August, in the year of 5485, before the Year of Mercy, the Holy Virgin Mary was conceived, and after the appointed time, she was born to Joachim and Anna in great joy. Her birth was not just the fulfillment of her parents’ prayers, but the dawn of the hope of the world. She was born not only for her parents but for all humanity, for through her, the salvation of Adam’s race would come. The Holy Fathers have often reflected that her birth marked the end of the long night of sin and the beginning of the new day of grace.
As the holy Scriptures declare, "If the Lord of hosts had not left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been made like Gomorrah" (Isaiah 1:9). The seed spoken of here is none other than the Virgin Mary, for through her, the curse of sin and death that plagued humanity since the fall of Adam would be undone.
About True #Prayer: A Pathway to Divine Mercy
Beloved brethren, faithful followers of the orthodox teachings, let us gather our hearts and minds to contemplate the profound mystery of true prayer—the sacred communion between the soul and its Creator. For what is prayer if not the earnest outpouring of a contrite heart, the humble admission of our unworthiness before the throne of grace?
When we invoke the word "mercy," we are not merely uttering a plea; we are confessing our repentance, expressing deep sorrow for our transgressions, humbling ourselves, and acknowledging the weight of our sins. In this supplication, we simultaneously testify to the infinite glory of God, recognizing that He alone holds the power to forgive and restore. Thus, when we pray, saying, "God, have mercy; Christ," it must emanate from a broken and contrite heart that fully admits its guilt and desperate need for divine compassion.
As the Psalmist David so eloquently declares, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). Here, we see that the true offering God desires is not burnt offerings or ritualistic observances but a heart humbled by repentance. A heart that recognizes its failings and seeks earnestly to return to the embrace of the Almighty.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in His boundless wisdom, provided us with a poignant illustration of the proper posture of prayer through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. He addressed those "who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others" (Luke 18:9). Two men ascended to the temple to pray: the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee stood confidently, praying within himself, "God, I thank you that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess" (Luke 18:11-12).
This self-righteous man boasted of his deeds, elevating himself above others, his heart void of humility. In stark contrast, the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift his eyes toward heaven. Beating his breast in deep remorse, he pleaded, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13). Our Lord affirmed that this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14).
From this divine teaching, we glean that the prayer, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner," is the epitome of penitential prayer. It encapsulates the humility and brokenness of heart that God honors. It is not the eloquence of words but the sincerity of the heart that moves the heart of God.
In our sacred assemblies, we bear witness to the power of such heartfelt prayers. On Sundays and during our annual celebrations, when we commence the day's program after the Holy Mass, testimonies resound from the lips of pilgrims and worshippers alike: "My prayer has been received; my request has been heard; thank God." They exhort us, "May the God who hears them listen to your prayers." Women lift their voices in jubilant praise, while men clap their hands in joyous affirmation.
These testimonies affirm that our prayers are not mere echoes lost in the void nor are our times of devotion exercises in futility. No, dear brethren, they are precious dialogues with the Almighty, who inclines His ear to the cries of His people. As our church teaches, our prayers are heard, and our petitions fulfilled when we approach God with hearts purified from malice and bodies cleansed from abuses.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to rid our hearts of revenge and malice, to cleanse ourselves from the impurities that hinder our communion with God. We are admonished to reconcile with those from whom we are estranged, to forgive those who have wronged us, and to restore what we may have unjustly taken. In doing so, we align ourselves with the heart of God, who desires mercy over sacrifice and reconciliation over ritual.