Feast of Mary, Mother of God: New Year: January 1, 2023

                  MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD

First Reading: Numbers 6: 22-27

Second Reading: Galatians 4: 4-7

Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 16-21

   * First reading is from the book of Numbers. The Lord God instructs Moses to tell the priests to bless the people of Israel in His name. The chosen people are to be blessed by these words: "The Lord Bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you....I will bless them." With the Blessed Mother Mary, we too seek the blessings of the Lord God throughout the year 2023.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Galatians. Paul tells the Christians in Galatia and us that by giving us His own Son, through Mary, God enables the whole humankind to become His sons and daughters in whose hearts the spirit of God cries: "Abba, Father". 

Mary with the Child Jesus in the manger                                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The meeting of shepherds with Child Jesus and Mother Mary in the manger is described. The eagerness of the simple, humble shepherds to pay homage to the divine Child and Mary's reflective and contemplative mood are graphically depicted. By our celebration of the New Year, coinciding with the Feast of Mother of God, we are celebrating the feast of all mothers. It is a fitting tribute to Mother Mary that she is the perfect model for all mothers. God showered Mary with numerous blessings. So we too invoke God's blessings on all mothers today. Blessed Mother was a simple, humble, peasant woman. Yet, Harward historian Harry Adams calls her, 'the most powerful religious symbol for centuries'. 

May the Blessed Mother Mary, Mother of God bless you all through the coming year 2023. 

"Mary is given to us as a mother to accompany us on our tiring pilgrimage through life." - Pope Paul VI

"As mariners are guided by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary". - St. Thomas Aquinas