Reflection
Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm 67
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God. Solemnity was established years ago and celebrated on different dates around the world. In 1974, Pope Paul VI assigned January 1 as the date on the liturgical calendar. The date coincides with the World Day of Peaceā¦and rightly so.
It is through Mary that the Father brought the Son to us, this Prince of Peace. Mary places Jesus in the manger, and it is in that manger where we hear in our gospel that the shepherds had an experience with Jesus. We read that Mary kept the experience of the shepherds and Jesus in her heart, she treasured the experience of people coming to her Son.
Each and every time we experience Jesus in the Eucharist, our Holy Mother smiles. She loves each of us individually and wants us to experience her Son just as the shepherds did. That experience, though, requires we take a step toward experiencing Jesus. The shepherds left what they were doing and took action to find Jesus.
Mary will always lead us to her Son because she loves us and just like every good mother, she knows what is good for us. Her Son is good for us. As we begin a new year, can you make a resolution to grow closer to our Holy Mother? Mom is calling you! Will you answer?
It is a great day! Smile at God today!