Mary Mother of God January 1, 2024

Readings: Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7, Lk 2:16-21

The first day of the year is the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. The early Christians already called her “Theotokos”, which means “God-bearer”. She is called Mother of God not because she is higher than God, for she is just a creature. She is called Mother of God simply because she bore in her womb and gave birth to Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal God.

As we begin the New Year, the Church invites us to honor Mary, the Mother of God. Just as human life starts in the womb of our mothers, so also we begin another year with the mother of all humankind, the Blessed Virgin Mary. As Christians, we begin the New Year with God. That is why we come together to pray in this Eucharistic celebration. We look back at the past year, and thank and praise God for His protection and all the blessings He has given us. And as we look ahead to the new year, we implore His continued providential guidance and presence in our life. We take courage from the words of Saint Paul: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31).

And we also begin the New Year with Mary, the Mother of God, and our Mother too. Let us go to Mary our Mother. Let us take refuge in the comfort and protection of her loving embrace. Rightly, then, that the first day of the year is World Day of Prayer for Peace. We come together to pray for peace in the world. We ask Jesus, the King of Peace, to be with us. We do this in confidence because we know that Mary, our loving Mother is with us. Full of trust in God’s providence and protection, we enter the New Year filled with hope, joy and peace.

At the start of this year, let us earnestly invoke God’s blessing on us and on our loved ones with the words of blessing in the first reading:

“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!” Amen

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!     Fr. Terry