Homily (Reflection) for
the Octave of Christmas: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (A, B, C) (1st
January)
Num 6:22-27;
Ps 66:2-3.5.6.8 (R. v. 2)
Gal 4:4-7;
Lk 2:16-21.
As we step into a
new year, it is important to appraise the previous one to see to what extent one
was able to actualize his/her dreams (resolutions) among other things. Are
there reasons to thank God for? Bearing in mind the problems we face in the
world, where do we run to because our leaders seem to be more confused than the
citizenry?
Topic: New Year with Mary, Mother of God.
The title of the solemnity we celebrate was
declared an article of faith in 431AD by the Council of Ephesus and is among
the titles of Mary that have generated so much controversy. I do not intend to
go into the controversy in this homily. But suffice it to say that unless one
doubts the divinity of Christ, one cannot doubt the divine maternity of Mary.
If Jesus Christ is God and Mary is the mother of Jesus, we cannot but conclude
that Mary is the mother of God. Hence, she is rightly called the theotokos meaning God’s bearer that was first expressed
in the bible by Saint Elizabeth in these words: “And why has this happened to
me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” (Lk 1:43). No one who denies the divine maternity of Mary can be
said to be truly a Christian because it is another way of denying that Jesus is
God.
Being all-powerful and all-knowing,
God could have saved us without the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Yet out of limitless
options, the Word took fresh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary to live
among us, cf. Jn 1:14. This, he
planned from the time of our first parents and was fulfilled at the appropriate
time, cf. Gen. 3:15; Gal 4:4.
The sin of Adam and Eve destroyed
the relationship with God that man was enjoying and as a result was thrown out
of the presence of God who is light, cf. 1Jn
1:5. And the world remained in darkness until the coming of Jesus Christ,
the light of the world, cf. Jn 8:12.
Jesus took flesh “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow
of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Lk 1:79, cf. Is 9:2).
The situation of the world today no
doubt is both precarious and confusing one. We need God who is both the light
and the source of light. It will be good if we step into the New Year with
Mary, the Mother of God who is God’s best channel. Let us call unto her for
peace and security in the whole world.
Today’s gospel reads, “The shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it
had been told them.” Lk 2:20. If we
turn to God through Mary with sincere hearts, like the shepherds, we will have
every cause to glorify and praise God. She is the mother of God. The world really
needs her maternal protection. Borrowing some words from the Blessed Apostle:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit,
according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the
universe, and not according to Christ” (Col
2:8). Jesus Christ is God and we know that God cannot contradict Himself,
cf. Ps 31:5, 1Cor 1:9, 2Cor 1:18.
God who asks us to honour our parents will not despise His own mother (cf. Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16; Matt 15:4; Matt 19:19;
Mk 7:10). Hence despite the fact that His time had not reached, He obeyed
her at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, cf. Jn 2:1-12. Again, when they found him in the temple, “... he went
down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them” (Lk 2:51).
Stepping into New Year normally goes
with the setting of goals or targets for the year. Although for some, it is
useless to do so. But it is a good thing to make resolutions because anyone
without aim is aimless and anyone who does not plan how to succeed plans how to
fail. Some of us however have the problem of setting unworkable goals. Let us
follow the example of Mary while making the New Year resolutions. “Mary …
pondered them in her heart.” Lk. 2: 19,
cf. Lk. 2: 51. She is your mother
also, cf. Rev 12:17. Ponder on the
goal/goals you are setting for yourself. Again, do not set too many of them;
the fewer, the better. Finally, take pains and write them down. Keep it where
you will be seeing it from time to time. It will help you to know how you move.
Bible
Reading: Gen. 3: 1-15; Gal. 4:4-7; Jn 1:1-34; 2:1-12;
1Jn 4:1-21.
Silent Prayer: Plan the year 2019 with God
following the example of Mary.
Let
us humbly call on Mary: The Memorare:
Remember
O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that
never was it known,
that
anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored
thy aid or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired
by this confidence,
I
fly unto thee O Virgin of virgins, my mother,
to
thee I come, before thee I stand,
sinful
and sorrowful, O mother of the Word incarnate,
despise
not my petitions but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
May the newborn King through the
intercession of His mother and our mother, Blessed Virgin Mary, bless the year
2019 and the rest of our days for us (cf. Jn
19:26-27) + AMEN!
Wishing you grace-filled New Year
You
are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.
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