Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord
(Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)
Today, the eighth day of Christmas, the Church venerates "Mary, the Mother of God." The title is by no means peripheral as some others found in the litany of Mary. Rather it encapsulates the meaning of the Incarnation: God became fully human so that He might redeem all humans from their sins. For this reason, the Church places this feast on the octave or completion of the high feast of Christmas.
There is another important reason to celebrate the feast of
Mary, the Mother of God, today. As this day begins the new year,
Mary is given as the patron for the whole year. Here, patron” has a
double meaning. As patrons of arts support artists and art institutions,
Mary supports the Church with her prayers. Mary is also a patron in the
sense that she is one to be emulated. She provides a pattern (derived
from the same root as “patron”) or model for Christians to follow throughout the new year.
We should, like Mary in today’s passage, reflect on the
events related in the gospel. But we should not
limit ourselves to reflection. Rather, like Mary raising the Christ-child, we should act on what is revealed to us in ways which give glory to God.
