The Birthday of Mary

September 8th marks the feast of the Birthday of Mary, the mother of Jesus. It is a special day for honouring this woman who answered “Yes” to the angel’s request that she become the mother of God’s son. Nine months later, Jesus was born into the world, and as I reflect upon this moving episode of Christ’s birth in the gospels, it reminds me of the beauty that lies within the simple act of human hospitality … the grace of welcome that enables us to make a place for others, inviting them into our own space, whoever they might be. It is about offering the same kind of welcome which Christ showed to those who came into his presence.

Henri Nouwen reflects a little on what I think is this grace of hospitality:

“Hospitality … means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend …
Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. . . Hospitality is not a subtle invitation to adopt the lifestyle of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to find his own.”

Over the last few weeks I’ve had the privilege of receiving the wonderful and gracious gift of the hospitality of others. Throughout most of July and August, friends of mine opened their home and their hearts to me and very kindly provided me with a place and a space to live while renovations were happening in my condo. Staying in their home gave me the space to relax, to do what I needed to do, as well as offer a unique and lovely opportunity of spending time with them in a way that drew us only more closely together.

Today, on this feast of Our Lady, I can’t help but reflect upon Mary as the woman who is “full of grace” and the model of truly gracious human hospitality. As she welcomed and brought her divine Son into the world, the gospels tell us how she continued to welcome others into the presence of her child who lay in the manger – the shepherds, the wise men and all those who wished do give him homage. After the death of her Son, Mary continued to be a welcoming presence to all – a compassionate and present icon of strength and hope to the apostles and to Christians for generations following. This is a good reason why I think we can so easily today call Mary, mother and help of all Christians.

“O gracious and loving God,
you dwell in every space of darkness and light
and welcome us into your presence, wherever we may be.
As you called Mary to be the mother of your son,
she lovingly welcomed the Christ-child into her womb.
May we, as well, always welcome others,
opening our hands and our hearts to all those in need – the stranger, the refugee, the lonely and the one who is lost.
May we do so with the same love, compassion and care that belongs to the heart of Mary, the first and perfect disciple of your Son.
We ask this through Christ the Lord.”
Amen.