Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator
Throughout the world, children in Catholic elementary schools will be singing "Happy Birthday" to our Blessed Mother. September 8th, nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. This feast has been part of church devotion since the fifth century and is celebrated in both the Western and Eastern rites. 
The Gospel for today's feast focuses our attention on the real import of the feast as it recounts the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. Once again, we hear the familiar "Do not be afraid" message from the angel, once again we are told that he shall be called "Jesus" because he will save his people.
The name Jesus derives from the same root as the name Joshua. This character from the Hebrew Scriptures was the successor of Moses and the commander of the Israelite army. It was through his leadership that the people Israel were able to make Israel their home. He was the man who saved them from their enemies.
The Christian Scriptures tell us of another savior, one who saves us from the ancient enemy of sin. Through his leadership and by his example we have been saved from our sins and granted access to the saving power of God. All of this is made possible because Mary and Joseph were able to accede to the will of God.