ROOTS
I have an unfinished project in life: to draw and write my family tree. My father comes from the Santoses of Orani, Bataan. But my grandfather died early during my father’s childhood, so I don’t know a single soul from that side of my father. My mother is an illegitimate child from the Yumping Family of Tipas, Taguig City. More than half of the clan belongs to the Iglesia ni Kristo. But they all come in droves whenever I say Mass for a dead relative in the parish church of Tipas, even occupying the first pews.
The Bible tells of Jesus’ genealogy. It traces His roots as a direct descendant of Abraham and David. Jesus’ incarnation makes His humanity even more meaningful at the realization that He came from the human stock. He has ancestors to speak of. Immanuel, which means “God is with us,” now finds a fitting explanation in the Gospel. Jesus’ humanity is physically and genetically rooted in His ancestors. God chose them to carry out His magnificent plan of salvation. And Mary is one of them.
We celebrate today the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We thank God for giving Mary to us as our mother. She played the crucial role of carrying in her womb the Word made flesh. Through her humble offering of herself and submission to the Father’s will, the grand plan for us was carried out. It was not an easy decision for Mary to give in to the Father’s will that she would be the mother of the Messiah. But she offered everything in faith and trusted God. Never mind if she had to face the people in shame. To Mary, it’s only God and His will that matter.
It is most touching that Mary, in spite of her role in the plan of salvation, regarded herself as a lowly handmaid (in modern parlance: maid, slave). She believed that she was nothing, and had nothing to offer. Yet, in her nothingness, she offered the best gift of all to the Father — the gift of herself, her obedience to His will, her best self. And it was more than enough.
The lowly root produced the most marvelous fruit — Jesus! Happy Birthday, Inay! Fr. Erick Y. Santos, SFO
REFLECTION QUESTION: Who is Mary to you and how important is her birth?
Lord, like Mary, may I be able to give the gift of my best self. May I be obedient to Your will just as she was.
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