Gospel: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

Today is the culmination of the Octave of Christmas, the celebration of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the Gospel will be proclaimed according to St Luke (tap here for today's Mass readings).

Today's reading is a continuation from the Gospel proclaimed at the Christmas mass in midnight. In it the shepherds act upon the message they received from the angel and go to find Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem. In their visit to the manger, the shepherds find things just as the angel had said. The shepherds' visit, therefore, is a moment of fulfillment, manifestation, and the beginning of the salvation we receive through Christ.

In the context of today's Solemnity, this reading also helps us focus on Mary as the Mother of God. The reading tells us at least three things about Mary as mother. First, Mary is described as a reflective person, keeping the reports of the shepherds in her heart. Second, we are reminded of how obedient Mary was to God when she named the baby "Jesus" as the angel St Gabriel had directed. Third, this reading shows the Virgin Mary and St Joseph faithfully observing their Jewish tradition by having Jesus circumcised.

Mary's faithfulness to God is evident in all three of these things. Her reflection upon the events in her life indicates that she was a person of prayer. This prayer made possible her obedience to God and God's will, even if the outcome was not clear. Finally, her faithfulness to a community of faith grounded her relationship with God and enabled her to participate in God's plan of salvation.

Because of Mary's faithfulness to God, she was able to receive the gift of God's Son and accept her role in God's plan for salvation. By doing so, she models for us the path to discipleship and is also called the Mother of the Church.

Our call to discipleship also includes these three aspects. First, discipleship means prayer and reflection on the events of our lives that we might see God's presence and work in our lives. Second, discipleship means obedience to God and God's will. Third, discipleship includes fidelity to a community of faith.

Happy New Year!

(Prayer for a Deceased Pope: God, Who, in Thine ineffable providence, didst will that Thine servant Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI should be numbered among the high priests, grant, we beseech Thee, that he, on earth held the place of Thine only begotten Son, may be joined forevermore to the fellowship of Thy holy pontiffs. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.)

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