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Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
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December 31, 2018Most of us will start our conversations today with ‘Happy New Year!’ Reflecting with friends and family, near and far, on the year behind us, and celebrating the opportunities the new year ahead of us will bring, we will mark January 1, 2019, as a chance to begin again. You might even have a list of your New Year’s resolutions ready to go.
While these are all positive sentiments, and ones I will share in as well, the start of the year also gives us the ever-beautiful face of Mary, Mother of God.
On this day we are reminded of the role that the Blessed Virgin played in the plan of our salvation. Through the Holy Spirit, God the Father prepared Mary to be the dwelling place where his Son could first dwell among men. Christ’s birth was made possible by Mary’s acceptance of God’s will.
In this week’s Gospel reading, after the shepherds found Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem and saw baby Jesus lying in the manger, they spread the Good News and “all were amazed.” But of Mary, the Gospel reads: “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Think about that for a moment. God told Mary that she would deliver this baby. Now, several months later, she has given birth to the Son of God. The Savior. And what does Mary do? She takes it all in. She doesn’t start jumping for joy or shouting from the rooftops. She soaks up all of the amazing moments that have led her to this moment and reflects on them in her heart.
I think there is a lot we can learn from this passage. Maybe, rather than focusing all of our attention on the bright and shiny new year, we should take some time to reflect on what is happening this Christmas season.
What intimate moments have we shared with Jesus, the Prince of Peace? What memories did we make with our families? What traditions can we reflect on with hopefulness and harmony that can carry us into the new year?
As we celebrate the beginning of this new year, let’s not lose sight of what has brought us to where we are. Those moments and memories shape us. We should take the time to reflect on them to gain insights into ourselves and help us discern where we want to grow.
So today, January 1, 2019, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, let us remember that Mary offers us the most precious gift of all: her Son, Jesus! Perhaps we can each start our new year with a resolution to ask for her intercession more often. Maybe our motto should be “Through Mary to Jesus!"
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Gabby Hlavek is the Communications Manager for the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana.
