Thursday, January 1, 2004
Mary, Mother of God

1st Reading: Num 6:22-27
2nd Reading: Gal 4:4-7
Gospel: Lk 2:16-21

The shepherds came hurriedly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby lying in the manger. On seeing this they related what they had been told about the child, and all were astonished on hearing the shepherds.

As for Mary, she treasured all these messages and continually pondered over them.

The shepherds then returned giving glory and praise to God for all they had heard and seen, just as the angels had told them.
On the eighth day the circumcision of the baby had to be performed; he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Commentary

WELCOME TO 2004! It's good to walk with you again. You may not know me, but we traveled together through 1997 and 2000, and part of some earlier year. I'm from rather far away (Ireland); but distance means little nowadays, and it means nothing at all in the household of the Faith.

We begin this new year, as always, in the company of Mary, whose title, "Mother of God", affirms equally the humanity and the divinity of Christ.

Who else is with us? Shepherds, a carpenter, a baby put to sleep in an animal's feeding trough. It's a humble beginning. There are no world leaders, no ambassadors, no retinue. There is no palace, nor ceremony, nor fancy dress. There is no cheering crowd, no press, no brass band. There are no scholars to analyze its meaning, no historians to tell us it all happened before, no observers to say it could happen again. But far away and out of earshot of the powerful and the wise there is a rumor of angels. Only the shepherds, the simple of heart, can hear it. Each daily gospel reading in this book beckons us to follow.

Read also Sunday's Into Silence:
           Mary, the Good Sister-in-Law or Mary; Magician or Model

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