They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - ​Year A

Collect

O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger

Lk 2:16-21

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

And so they set off in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

When they saw the child, they recounted the message that had been told them about him. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. As for Mary, she treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.

On the eighth day, when the time for the child’s circumcision had arrived, he was given the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived in the womb.

The Word of the Lord

R/. Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ

Reflection

The Catholic Church dedicates the first day of the year to our Mother Mary—Mother of God. Mary is the Mother of God because Jesus, her Son is both God and man. We who believe in the Incarnation also believe that Mary can rightly bear the title of Mother of God.

Today is also known as the Day of Peace. Wherever our Mother Mary appears, whether in the Gospels or in private apparitions, her presence and her messages are always marked by peace. Since her Son, Jesus, came into the world that we may again find peace, then His Mother Mary can only bring peace to humanity. How gravely in need we are of true and lasting peace!

Yet, it is through solidarity and fraternal unity that we can once again find true peace. Personal crises, those within our society, and throughout the world can only be overcome by the building and strengthening of community—a true community, not enclaves of communities. Such enclaves foster territorialism and rivalry, which is something we do not want!

It is good to pray for peace; it is something we should all do.But this is not enough: we must work for peace through our presence, our witness, and through our actions. With good will and by a little effort from each and every one of us, in solidarity with and for each other, we can build a community together. Faith in God and faith in the goodness that is found in each person, as well as disinterested love for which humanity thirsts strengthen the hope that together we can build a human community.

Stop and think
- Do you have peace in your heart? If not, try to discoverthe reason. The more peace you have within your heart, the more you can work for peace.
- How much are you working for unity in your community, through both working and socialising?
- Do you bring peace by what you say and write?

Prayer

Mary, Mother of Jesus and our mother, do not allow our devotion to you be lip service. Help us to grow closer to your Son by doing our best to become instruments of peace and unity in fraternity with others. Amen.

 

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