Mary Mother of God
It is a pleasure to begin the year with Mary. As followers of Jesus we want to be close to him. Who was closer to him than his mother? We want to grow up in Christ. Mary conceived him and carried him in her body until he was born from her. She saw him grow up day after day. She helped him grow up. She is eager to help him grow in us. We place ourselves in the care of Mary, that she may help us this year to grow into the full stature of Jesus.
First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
The Aaronic Blessing
God spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons, this is how you are to bless the People of Israel. Say to them,
God bless you and keep you,
God smile on you and gift you,
God look you full in the face
and make you prosper.
In so doing, they will place my name on the People of Israel—
I will confirm it by blessing them.”
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!” Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!
Blessings
When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived.
Prayer
Our faithful and saving God,
in Mary our earth said its yes to your call
and there burst upon humanity
forgiveness and blessing and new life
in the person of your Son Jesus Christ.
Give us Mary’s trusting faith,
that we may always be close to Jesus
even in the darkness of suffering
and that we may take him
to the poor and the lonely of our world.
Bless us through Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Reflection:
A year of companionship, community, and mutual blessings
Happy New Year 2022 ! Today’s Feast of Mary, the Mother of God is a very appropriate way to begin a new year. It is also the world day of Peace. This celebration reminds us that the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, is also our Mother. In 1970, Pope Paul VI instituted the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The Church assigns this solemnity on the first day of the New Year to emphasize the importance of Mary’s role in the life of Christ and of the Church.
We venerate various saints on different days of the year, but Mary is the most prominent of all the saints. She has a special role and mission given to her by God. She is a powerful intercessor for all of our needs here on earth. In celebrating her special feast day, we call on her maternal accompaniment in our daily life; and like Mary, we cooperate with the plan of God for our lives.
Today’s Word of God brings us a beautiful prayer, which could be made our personal wish and prayer for our dear ones. In the First Reading we listen to this Prayer:
God bless you and keep you,
God smile on you and gift you,
God look on you full in the face, and make you prosper.
Just three Verses… “The LORD bless you and keep you!” These are the first words we hear on this first day of the year and I think there is no greater blessings.
The New Year Blessing presents the care and concern, our God has for his people. We see a God who rejoices in the wellbeing of his/her children, and blessing them unceasingly. This is also called the ‘priestly blessing’. We shall walk this year holding the hands of this loving and caring God and also of Mary, his mother and our Mother. We shall also hold hands with one another as one family of God, blessing one another.
It is good to begin our journey in this new year with soulful companions. As Christians we are called to be a community of pilgrims, to walk in community and companionship; and never to walk our spiritual journey alone. The company of a spirit-filled community—the likes of the Holy Family and the shepherds in today’s gospel—is the way to go as we begin our spiritual journey this year.
And, as members of the pilgrim Church, it is good to reach out and bless one another with the kind of blessing God taught Moses and Aaron. Let us take a moment today to reflect on how we can make 2022 a year of companionship, community, and mutual blessings.
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