Mary Mother of God

January 1st, 2023

First Reading:  Numbers 6:22-27

Psalm # 67 R May God be gracious to us and bless us

Second Reading:  Galatians 4:4-7

Gospel Acclamation Verse: (Hebrews 1:1-2) Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets;
in these last days he has spoken to us by the Son. 

Gospel:  Luke 2:16-21

Theme:  Mary, the Holy Mother of God Trusts God.

Commentary By Jane Prini

Happy New Year! How wonderfully that the Church celebrates today the Motherhood of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, calling it the greatest of all Marian feasts. Can you imagine holding baby Jesus in your arms, playing peek-a-boo with him and watching him giggle? Now imagine that you realize this is God! How wonderful! Wouldn’t you, like the shepherds want to tell others? 

In our gospel reading today we continue the story of Jesus’ birth with the shepherds visiting the Holy Family in the stable. The shepherds tell Mary and Jospeh what the angel told them and we read that “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart”. We learn that the shepherds also tell others about the birth of this special child. 

Notice that Mary pondered, (she considered) their words in her heart and not her mind. Why do you suppose that is? Notice how she doesn’t ponder what it could mean for Jesus to be called the Messiah, what was going to happen next, or even the plans she should make for the future. Instead, we learn she ponders these words in her heart—that quiet place at the centre of her being where love begins. She treasures their words but does not worry about how Jesus will save us or what else God has planned for her. Her trust in God gives her peace and confidence to let God make the plans. 

When Mary said “Yes” to being the mother of Jesus she became part of God’s plan to save us for a deep relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. She taught Jesus the usual things that mothers teach their children, like how to eat and dress and the more important things like how to show kindness, help others, and trust in God. She taught Jesus to trust in God the Father as she did. Jesus did the Father’s will all his life, and he taught others to do the same. The stories we read in the Bible, teach us of God’s tender love for us, and we learn to trust and love God. We then want to tell others about him and how much he loves and cares for them too.
As we begin the New Year, let us pray for that same confidence in our God that Mother Mary had. She trusted that God knew the future and that he always looks after her. We know the future is unknown and can be scary, but we need not worry for we know, like Mother Mary, that God holds the future. We have today, so we need to try to live it the way God planned it. 

We honour Mary today as the Mother of God because her first role is always to lead us to her son, Jesus Christ. She is our example of how to trust in God’s plan for each one of us, how to hold God in our hearts while telling others about him. 

Prayer for Families: Oh God, we thank and praise you for the gift of Mary’s Yes, and her example in how to trust in your goodness. We pray that, like Mother Mary, we may have trust in you so we too can say yes to the plan you have for each of us. Though our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever, Amen.

Discussion starters: (Choose one or more of these after reading today’s scripture readings)

1. Why do you suppose Mary pondered the shepherd’s words in her heart? What does that tell you about the sort of person that Mother Mary was? Does that encourage you to trust God?
2. What do you think it means to trust that God has a plan for you? Read Psalm 139 together

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