To Jesus Through Mary
SOLEMNITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD
First Reading: Nm 6:22-27
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
Second Reading: Gal 4:4-7
Gospel: Lk 2:16-21
Theme: Amaze, Contemplate, Praise
We start the year with the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God, who is also our mother. Our Lord gave us His Mother Mary at the foot of the cross, assuring us of Her maternal love and care when He said to Mary, "Woman, behold thy son." Then he turns to the disciple and says, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour on, the disciple took her to his home. " On this great solemnity we recall, how Mary's role is significant in our redemption, that is Jesus was born of Mary so that we might be children of God. On the gospel today, it shows how the shepherds tells everyone about the promised Messiah that is about to be born in Bethlehem, covered with swaddling clothes and Mary treasures their words in her heart. In the latter part of the gospel, we also heard about the circumcision of the Child and named Him Jesus, which means "God saves" truly God and truly human. This is the reason why we call Mary as the Mother of God, that is with her relationship with the Jesus, the Son of God. Let us begin this year with heartfelt gratitude with the help of the gospel and see how Mary acts as she receives the blessings and goodness of the Lord. Thus, let us be amazed, contemplate, and praise the Lord for all the blessings we have received in the past year.
Let us be amazed by the blessings that God has given us. As the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and discovered the Child Jesus, they revealed who this child would be. All were amazed as they saw Jesus. This tells us that the amazement of life will only be found in the Lord. Today is the last day of the Christmas octave, and it coincides with the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, which tells us that Mary will sustain our relationship with the child who is born in the manger, for she treasured Him greatly in her heart. As Jesus was circumcised on the eight day, He had already shed His most precious blood for our sake and it will be a sign of the covenant He had with us. All of these happened for our sake, so that we might be slaves no longer, but rather adopted children, heirs of God and Christ Himself. Let us recognize and count our blessings from the previous year and marvel at how good the Lord has been.
Let us contemplate our encounters with Jesus. After identifying and recognizing the blessings that God has given us, let it be a time to pause for a while and contemplate all these things, then bring them into prayer. Our Lady treasured all the things that she had experienced with her Son, Jesus. This tells us to ponder the things that the Lord does to move us, inspire us, and transform us. The good news of Jesus and the person of Jesus were contemplated by Mary. As we contemplate our encounters with Jesus, let us ask the Lord for His blessing that by His mercy, kindness and graciousness, our encounters with Him might be fruitful and allow that encounters share the joy of being with the Lord.
Let us praise the Lord for all the things He has done. At last, after recognizing and pondering all the wonderful gifts that God has given us, let us praise and thank the Lord for helping us survive the last year’s journey of life. In times of joy and sorrow, distress and comfort, defeat and victory. Let us thank the Lord for His goodness like Mary did, by His birth we are able to become sons and daughters of God by adoption and by grace. This praise and thanksgiving should grow so that it will be last and pleasing to the Lord, and in all things God may be glorified.
Let us entrust ourselves to the loving care and protection of Our Lady as the Mother of God and of the Church, who were amazed, contemplated, and praised the Lord. May the joy of Christmas and of the new year fill our hearts as we seek Our Lady's maternal intercession.
