January 1, 2012 — The Octave Day of the Nativity of Our Lord Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Nm. 6:22-27; Ps. 67:2-3, 5,6,8; Gal. 4:4-7; Lk. 2:16-21
It is interesting that today, a day on which we celebrate the feast of Mary, the Mother of God, we hear very little about Mary in the readings.
Mary plays a vital role in Salvation History, and today we celebrate a key part of that role. But when we reflect on what it means for Mary to be the Mother of God, when we ponder her importance in the life of the Church, she brings us back to her Son, the focal point of today’s readings, the focal point of Salvation History, the focal point of the Church’s life.
Indeed, all of the Church’s doctrines pertaining to Mary, while they speak of Marian truths, actually emphasize a truth about Christ and bring us into a deeper understanding of who Christ is, and, we can be sure, that’s how Mary would want it to be. After all, when the angel declared to Mary that she would conceive the Lord and she gave him her “yes,” she surrendered her will to the Father. She gave Him her life and became the first disciple — the first steward — living her life in complete selfless service for the Lord.
Her title, “Mother of God,” speaks of a profound truth about her Son. It tells us that, from the moment of His conception, Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man. It is a mystery and one we must believe as Catholics. And, today, as we honor Mary for her role in our salvation, we are called to ponder this mystery, to come to a deeper understanding of the reality of the incarnation.
We are also called as stewards to follow in Mary’s footsteps. She is the first disciple. And, as Christ’s disciple, she has given herself in service to Him. May we all follow suit. Like hers, may our lives be ones that proclaim Christ to others. Through what we say and do, through the sharing of our time, talent, and treasure, may we bring others closer to Christ, just as Mary does.
