8 Sep
Mon
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mic. 5:1-4a
or Rom. 8:28-30
Ps. 12:6
Mt. 1:1-6,18-23
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"St. Paul says in today's reading: "We know all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." We all are called according to God's purpose. What is this purpose? The purpose is to be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus. The way we live our lives is the way we achieve this purpose. Each minute, each hour, each day helps us to reach our goal of glory with Jesus. When we get up in the morning we have no idea what the Lord has planed for us but we may be sure that whatever happens to us will work for us. There is only one condition and that condition is to love God.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her life shows us that to love God means to accept His will. This is also the best way to sanctity. It isn't easy to accept God's will. We often try to escape like St. Joseph, to achieve perfection according to our own ideas, but God says to us: "Don't be afraid. My name is Emmanuel. I am with you all the time."

We know all things work for good for those who love God." Let us offer to God everything that will happen today - our work and rest, joy and sadness, illness and loneliness. Mary is our loving Mother and she accepted God's will. When we take her into our home and into our hearts she will help us accept God's will.



Blessed Mother, please help us to accept God's will.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That those who, because of wars or oppressive regimes, are forced to leave their homes and country may be supported by Christians in the defence and protection of their rights.
Elaboration

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