“SEEDS OF LIFE”
Sunday, 1stJanuary 2017.
SOLEMNITY OF THE MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
Num 6:22-27;
Ps 67: 1-2, 4, 6-7;
Gal 4:4-7;
Lk 2:16-21
MOTHER MARY, PROTECTRESS AND GUIDE!
The Christmas Octave would not be complete without paying special attention to the glorious Mother of God! Mary, the mother of Jesus, the mother of the Saviour of the World, is properly called the “Mother of God.” This powerful title of our Blessed Mother says just as much about Jesus as it does about His Blessed Mother. In calling Mary the “Mother of God,” we especially acknowledge one fact of human life. A mother is not just the source of one’s flesh, she is not just the mother of the body of her children, she is the mother of that person. Being a mother is not just something biological, it is something sacred and holy and is part of the divine order of God’s creation. Jesus was her Child and this Child is God. Therefore, it is proper logic to call Mary the “Mother of God.”
God has a mother! He has a particular person who carried Him in her womb, nursed Him, raised Him, taught Him, loved Him, was there for Him, and pondered who He was throughout His life. The Gospel says, “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Her love for Jesus was as unique as the love of any mother. She was a mother in perfection and loved Him with a perfect love, He who was not only her Son, but was also God and was perfect in every way. She is an example for every mother and is also an example for all of us who seek to love others with a pure and holy heart.
In the first reading, the blessing of God on his people meant hope for them. It meant courage to overcome the problems of everyday life. Today we too are asked to trust in the Lord and call upon his blessing at the beginning of this year. In the second reading, Paul gives us the reason for hope at the beginning of the New Year: Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who has become one with us; he became our brother, in all things like us except in sin. God has accepted us as His children. We Christians must witness God’s love manifested in Jesus Christ. Our mother church is ever mindful that we need the best model and guide for our journey through the year and therefore offers us Mary, Mother of God on the first day of the year. As the dawn breaks and the New Year begins, we are not alone; we have the God’s Mother to protect and guide us through the year.
Of all God’s creatures –on earth and in heaven, there is none so glorious and so close to Jesus than Mary, His Mother. Mother Mary is New Eve. Eve, the mother of the human race brought death by her disobedience, both for herself and to the whole human race, but Mary the new Eve, brought forth life by her obedience. St. Irenaeus called Mary as the cause of our Salvation. Cardinal Newman who brought forth the contrast between Mary and Eve said thus, “As Eve forfeited privileges by Sin, so Mary earned privileges by the fruits of grace; that as Eve was disobedient and unbelieving, so Mary was obedient and believing; that as Eve was a cause of ruin to all, Mary was cause of salvation to all; that Eve made room for Adam’s fall, so Mary made room for our Lord’s reparation of it; thus, whereas the free gift was not as the offence but much greater, it follows that, as Eve cooperated in effecting a great evil, Mary cooperated in effecting a much greater good. Mary is a great gift from Jesus to us. Jesus knew that His mother was great and as a parting gift, he offered her to us as our mother.
Let us reflect today, upon the holy and captivating relationship that Mary would have shared with her Divine Son. Let us imagine the deep emotion and passion that would have filled her heart. Let us contemplate the level of unwavering commitment she would have had. What a beautiful celebration this is to conclude this Octave of Christmas Day, and to begin the New Year!
Prayer: Dearest Mother Mary, you loved your Divine Son with a perfect love. Your heart burned with an unquenchable fire of motherly charity. Your bond with Jesus was one that was perfect in every way. Help me to open my heart to that same love you share with me. Come be my mother and care for me as you cared for your Son. May I also love you with the love Jesus had for you and with the love He now lavishes upon you in Heaven. Mother Mary, the Mother of God, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.