The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God is celebrated on January 1st, the final day of the Christmas octave and a Holy Day of Obligation. The origin of this feast goes back to the 7th century in the Latin Church and honors Mary as the mother of Jesus Christ, God incarnate, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. The 8th day was also when Joseph and Mary brought Christ to be circumcised in the temple, and when he was given the name 'Jesus' which means 'God Saves'. This feast fits well with the beginning of the New Year so that we may consecrate our year to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of all Christians. Why do we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God? Having just celebrated the Nativity, the Church concludes the octave of Christmas by honoring Mary under her greatest title, the Mother of God. Upon the fact of her divine Motherhood depends all her dignities and prerogatives. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 509) teaches, "Mary is truly 'Mother of God' since she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, who is God himself." The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, is a holy day of obligation, and we celebrate this feast every year on January 1 in honor of her. † Quote of the Day "As mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary."
— Saint Thomas Aquinas Today's Meditation "Mary is honored in the Church with special reverence. Indeed, from most ancient times the Blessed Virgin Mary has been venerated under the title of 'God-bearer.' In all perils and needs, the faithful have fled prayerfully to her protection. ... it bears in itself and expresses the profound link which exists between the Mother of Christ and the Church. As Virgin and Mother, Mary remains for the Church a "permanent model."... Mary, present in the mystery of Christ, remains constantly present also in the mystery of the Church. ... Like Mary, who first believed by accepting the word of God revealed to her at the Annunciation and by remaining faithful to that word in all her trials even unto the Cross, so too the Church becomes a mother when, accepting with fidelity the word of God, "by her preaching and by baptism she brings forth to a new and immortal life children who are conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of God." —Pope St. John Paul II, p. 135
An excerpt from Mary: God's Yes to Man Daily Verse "But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."
— Matthew 6:33-34 | St. Joseph Mary Tomasi St. Joseph Mary Tomasi (1649-1713) was born in Sicily to noble and virtuous parents. He received a good Christian education and was drawn to the things of God from an early age. He renounced his inheritance and titles, transferring them to his brother, and entered religious life in the Order of the Clerics Regular Theatine founded by St. Cajetan. When their children were grown, his parents also entered religious life. St. Joseph Tomasi became so well known for his sanctity and learning that his advice and friendship was widely sought. He was a master of several languages, including Hebrew, and converted his teacher, a Jewish Rabbi, to Christianity. He is known for his writings on theology and love of the Roman liturgy, earning him the name "Liturgical Doctor." Some of the liturgical reforms he sought were adopted in 20th century. He was famous for teaching catechism to the children of his titular church, and its congregants Gregorian chant. He was appointed a Cardinal, and not long after suffered from pneumonia and died. St. Joseph Mary Tomasi is the patron saint of liturgy. His feast day is January 1st | Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God Reading I Numbers 6:22-27 The LORD said to Moses:
"Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them." Responsorial Psalm Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy. Reading II Galatians 4:4-7 Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, "Abba, Father!"
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God. Alleluia Hebrews 1:1-2 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Luke 2:16-21 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb. | Daily Meditation: Numbers 6:22-27 The Lord bless you. (Numbers 6:24) Blessed. You may have seen this hashtag on social media, a T-shirt, or a bumper sticker. People use it to give thanks for an unexpected gift or to express a feeling that God is smiling on them. On this first day of the year, as we celebrate Mary as the Mother of God and our own Mother, let's see what she can teach us about blessings! Mary was a faithful Jew, so she had probably heard the traditional blessing from our first reading countless times. It called upon the Lord's protection and provision, his grace and his peace (Numbers 6:24-26). This blessing wasn't a wish for "good vibes" or an easy path; it was an invocation of God's presence and involvement in the lives of his people. When the angel came to Mary at the Annunciation, he called her "favored one" (Luke 1:28). Later, Elizabeth said she was "blessed . . . among women" (1:42). In choosing Mary to bear his Son, God showed his closeness and personal involvement in her life. So Mary was specially graced, but those blessings didn't stop with her. Look at how many people were blessed through her, starting in Bethlehem. When Mary saw a group of shepherds at the stable door wanting to see her baby, she welcomed them. They were complete strangers, but she saw that the blessing she had received in Jesus was meant to be shared. And that's how she lived the rest of her life. We have all known God's protection and care. But those blessings, like Mary's, are meant to spill over into the lives of everyone we meet. As we lend a helping hand or offer a welcoming smile, God's goodness can touch the people around us. So at the start of this new year, let's imitate our Blessed Mother and allow the Lord to bless others through us. "Mary, our Mother, pray that we may know and share God's blessings in the coming year!" Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: | In the Holy Scripture we hear today: "When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb....." end Gospel quote, word of the Lord. | From Bishop Barron,
"Friends, today we celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God.
St. Irenaeus says that, throughout the history of salvation, God was trying on humanity, gradually suiting divinity and humanity to one another—preparing for the Incarnation. All of that preparation was a prelude to the Israelite girl who would say yes to the invitation to be the Mother of God.
To say that Mary is the Mother of God is to insist on the density of the claim that God truly became human. As Fulton J. Sheen commented, Mary is like the moon, for her light is always the reflection of a higher light.
Catholic theology has drawn a further implication from Mary's status as Mother of God—her role as Mother of the Church. If she is the one through whom Christ was born, and if the Church is indeed Christ's Mystical Body, then she must be, in a very real sense, the Mother of the Church. She is the one through whom Jesus continues to be born in the hearts of those who believe. This is not to confuse her with the Savior, but it is to insist on her mission as mediator and intercessor.." End quote from Bishop Barron.
From a Spanish reflection,
"Our passage today culminates in Jesus' circumcision eight days after his birth. It was a Jewish practice that pointed to the child's belonging to the people of Israel. We could consider it Baptism within the Jewish people. Moreover, this is when he is given the name Jesus, "God saves," thus fulfilling God's will to be the name of the promised Savior, as the angel announces to Mary at the Annunciation.
We are invited today, and throughout this year that begins, to put Mary as an intercessor before God in our lives and to remain, like her, faithful to the Lord. And, like the shepherds, to announce everything we have seen and heard, to all those we meet. This Good News, the birth of Jesus, who has come to bring salvation to the world, will accompany us throughout this new year.
End quote, Roberto Juarez.
There is something special when we say the word "new". What does that word make you feel?
Fresh start?
Pure?
Immaculate?
Virgin?
Pristine?
Impeccable?
A long awaited change?
These are all fitting for us who bear Christ to the world.
In comes the Immaculate Conception, the new Eve, the new dawn bearing the new King who shines the light of God's own heart.
And now you and me.
We are called to be holy, and to be one body that bears the light of our Lord inside.
The Holy Church has declared this a Jubilee year: The 2025 Jubilee Year is a Catholic Church celebration that began on Christmas Eve, 2024 and will continue until Epiphany, 2026. The theme for the year is "Pilgrims of Hope", and the motto is "Peregrinantes in Spem" (Pilgrims in hope).
The Jubilee Year is a time of renewal and reconciliation, and Catholics will seek plenary indulgence, which is the cleansing of the soul. The year is intended to be a moment of hope for the world that has been facing hardships.
As the Universal Church looks toward the Jubilee Year 2025 (the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord), the USCCB is thrilled to support the Holy Father in this "event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church." Pope Francis stated in his February 2022 letter announcing the Jubilee 2025: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire..." May our Lord fan the flame of love, hope, and mercy in us all, to realize the dream of our Lord Jesus, to set the world ablaze in His love of the Father...and in doing so....love one another truly. |  audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Mark 13:31
[Mark 13] 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
