Thursday, January 1, 2026

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.

  

Sunday, January 1, 2023

 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

(Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4,4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

There is only one passage about Mary that the three evangelists -- Mark, Matthew, and Luke -- report. It is worth comparing how each evangelist treats the situation. In it Jesus is teaching at his house in Capernaum. People are crowding the door to listen when his mother and other relatives arrive. According to Mark, when Jesus finds out that his relatives are looking for him, he almost disowns them. With a gesture of his arm he looks at his disciples inside the house and says that they are his mother and his siblings. He adds, "'Whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and my mother"'.

According to Matthew, Jesus does about the same when Mary comes to his house in Capernaum. However, Matthew reports early in his gospel that Mary conceives by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it should be said that Matthew views Mary with more reverence than Mark, who reports nothing of the birth of Jesus.

Luke emphasizes the importance of Mary. In the episode at the house in Capernaum, Jesus does not indicate that only his disciples are his relatives. On the contrary, he says that anyone who attends to the word of God belongs to his family. From the beginning of his gospel, Luke shows Mary doing that. When the angel tells her that Elizabeth is pregnant with her, Mary goes "in haste" to visit her. In today's gospel, although he does not tell of an action, Luke says that Mary meditates in her heart the report of the shepherds.

St. Luke also highlights both the humility and the dauntlessness of the virgin mother. When the angel tells her of God's plan for her to be the mother of His son, she responds with the famous "fiat": "'Here is the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word'". And when she meets Elizabeth, Mary begins to preach how God raises up the poor while he brings down the mighty.

The Gospel of John is also favorable towards Mary although it mentions her only twice. The first time occurs when Mary solicits her son on behalf of the diners at the wedding in Cana. The second time is even more striking. Mary is at the cross of Jesus along with two of Jesus’ closest disciples. She is his faithful disciple to the end.

From this summary of gospel passages dealing with Mary, we can make some resolutions for the new year. First, like Mary we want to be more attentive to the word of God and more ready to put it into practice. We hear the word of God at Sunday Mass, but it would be helpful to read a Bible passage daily. Second, we should pray to Mary to ask her son for our needs. We do this every time we pray "Hail, Mary…" although we can be more focused about our requests. Third, it is increasingly important that we be humble before others. Pride often prevents cooperation and friendship between people. Finally, we want to remain faithful to the Lord, come what may. We know that he will never leave us. Many Ukrainians continue to ask for God's help, even though they have suffered enormous injustice. How is it that some people no longer attend mass because the priest does not preach well? As the mother of Jesus undoubtedly taught her son in her childhood, she has much to teach us today.

Saturday, January 1, 2022

 Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

(Number 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

 In the gospel today, we see three groups of people receiving the good news of Jesus’ birth.  First, the shepherds, who have heard from the angels that a savior is born, act on the message.  They go to Bethlehem to see the child who is their Lord and King.  They also tell others of what has taken place to fulfill the angelic call to evangelize.  Hopefully we are responding in the same ways – giving homage to Jesus, the savior, and telling others of how he has benefitted us.

The second group encountered in the passage is the people said to be “amazed” at what the shepherds tell them.  Unfortunately, these hearers of the good news fail to respond in a significant way.  Rather, like many witnesses of miracles later in the gospel, they dismiss the good news as only something “interesting.”  These resisters represent the millions who celebrate Christmas with tinsel and brightly-wrapped presents but avoid the deeper meaning of the feast. 

The third group is really just one person.  Mary has already acted decisively on the good news announced to her also by an angel.  The passage today says that she reflects in her heart on the events taking place.  Thus, Mary becomes the model Christian in whom the word of God has taken firm root and whose fruit is abundant.  We find people like Mary taking time daily to reflect on the Word of God and then living out what that Word teaches.   

Friday, January 1, 2020

 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

(Number 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

January is named after the two-headed Roman god Janus.  As with two heads, this month looks back on the old year and forward to the new.  Many are doing this today.  They see the year gone by as strange, full of uncertainties, and difficult to bear.  As if they fought a war, they feel worn-down if not devastated by the Corona-19 virus.  They can, however, look forward with hope.  People are already being vaccinated.  Perhaps in six months enough will be immune to the virus that most restrictive measures will be lifted.

In today’s gospel Mary seems also to look back and forward. She experienced the appearance of an angel telling her that she will be the mother of God’s Son.  When her child was born, shepherds came to give homage. Yet she sits in a stable like the poorest people on earth.  She probably asks, “What does all this mean?”  And trying to imagine the future, she wonders, “What will become of my son?”

As Mary likely did, we should seek the Lord’s blessing on this first day of the new year.  The one given in the first reading will certainly do.  It offers the benevolent countenance of God to those who kept the law of the Lord.  His face is like the brightening sun in January. Every day it provides more light and warmth to nurture new life.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

(Number 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

A Jewish hospice nurse once told a priest that she was interested in becoming Catholic.  The priest told her to get in touch with the RCIA director.  Then he told the director to expect her call.  The director, who had many years of experience, responded doubtfully.   The director said that he had spoken with many people who expressed interest in Catholicism.  But, he added, relatively few come for instructions.   A similar “interested but” group appears in today’s gospel.

The passage tells of the shepherds sharing what they have heard and seen of Jesus with others.  The people to whom they speak are said to be “amazed.” But that is all.  Evidently they do not investigate themselves much less give praise to God.  Like the seed that fell on rocky ground in Jesus’ parable, they fall away when effort is demanded of them.  If the word of God is to bear fruit, it must be reflected upon in the heart.  This is exactly what Mary does in the gospel. 

Today we celebrate the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.  The title really says more about Jesus than it does bout Mary.  It is meant to express our belief that Jesus, the human son of Mary, has a divine nature as well.  Because the divine nature is present along with the human, Mary is said to be the “Mother of God.”

Although we want to honor Mary as Jesus’ mother, we should honor her more for reflecting on all that happens to her son.  She shows herself to be his disciple.  Of course, she will have to follow Jesus carrying her own cross which apparently she does.  Let us do the same: meditate upon the gospel in our hearts and take up our cross after him.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

(Number 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

In southern Italian city of Matera thousands of people lived in caves until the 1950s.  The people farmed and herded sheep for a subsistence living.  At night they returned to their homes dug out of limestone thousands of years ago.  There they ate and slept along with their most valuable farm animals.  It is quite possible that Jesus was born in a grotto such as one of these caves.

Today’s gospel shows the shepherds coming to worship the newborn Savior.  They recognize him in part by the manger that would have been part of an inhabited cave.  The second century Christian philosopher Justin Martyr, a native of Palestine and familiar with Bethlehem, claims that Jesus was born in a grotto or cave.  Some of the Fathers of the Church thought this testimony credible.  They wrote that in becoming human Jesus descended to the depths of the earth so that he might redeem all people.

The passage also features Mary.  It says that she is reflecting in her heart on all that is taking place.  She realizes that Jesus’ birth in the humblest conditions has significance.  It rebukes the rich and powerful who seek to control others.  She knows that shepherds represent the poor.  They depend upon Christ as their hope in an often callous world.  And she knows that the angels spoke the truth.  They announced the birth of Jesus who saves us from our sins

Monday, January 1, 2018

Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

(Number 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

In the gospel today, we see three groups of people receiving the good news of Jesus’ birth.  First, the shepherds, who have heard from the angels that a savior is born, act on the message.  They go to Bethlehem to see the child who is their Lord and King.  They also tell others of what has taken place to fulfill the angelic call to evangelize.  Hopefully we are responding in the same ways – giving homage to Jesus, the savior, and telling others of how he has benefitted us.

The second group encountered in the passage is the people said to be “amazed” at what the shepherds tell them.  Unfortunately, these hearers of the good news fail to respond in a significant way.  Rather, like many witnesses of miracles later in the gospel, they dismiss the good news as only something “interesting.”  These resisters represent the millions who celebrate Christmas with tinsel and brightly-wrapped presents but avoid the deeper meaning of the feast. 

The third group is really just one person.  Mary has already acted decisively on the good news announced to her also by an angel.  The passage today says that she reflects in her heart on the events taking place.  Thus, Mary becomes the model Christian in whom the word of God has taken firm root and whose fruit is abundant.  We find people like Mary taking time daily to reflect on the Word of God and then living out what that Word teaches.  

Friday, January 1, 2016

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

(Number 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

Back in the fourth and fifth century many people – bishops, professors, even the public – argued over theological issues.  For example, it was important for them to know whether God suffered on the cross.  Some like Archbishop Nestorius of Constantinople thought the idea ridiculous.   “How could humans cause the infinite, almighty God to experience torture?” he likely asked himself.  Nestorius figured that in Jesus there were both two natures and two persons.  For him Jesus’ human person with his human nature died on the cross.  His divine person with his divine nature remained above such horror.  Other bishops like St. Cyril of Alexandria objected.  They realized that if Jesus were two persons, one divine and the other human, and only the human person died on the cross, then that death could not have redeemed humanity from its sins.  The debate crystallized at the Council of Ephesus in 431.  The council gave its determination in a rather unique way.  It declared Mary to be the “Mother of God.”  This means that Jesus was only one divine person with both a divine and a human nature.  It also means that we are saved from our sins – that our selfishness, lust, and hatred are forgiven when we cling to Jesus.

Today in celebrating Mary, the Mother of God, we are indirectly celebrating our salvation.  The gospel suggests how we might do it well.  We can identify three groups of people in the passage.  The first group is the shepherds who come to worship the new born Savior.  However, they probably return to their pastures to talk about their sheep, their families, and what is for dinner. Some of us are like them.  We dutifully come to mass today and then busy ourselves with football and other concerns.  The second group is the people the shepherds inform about what the angels proclaimed to them.  These people are said to be amazed by the story.  But their interest ends there.  They do not go to worship the Savior even for hour.  Many people use the holidays only to “eat, drink, and be merry” like these men and women whom the shepherds meet.  The third group is just one person – Mary.  The passage says that she reflects in her heart upon all that is happening around her.  We should aspire to be like her.  We should think about what it means that God became human and died on the cross for us.  We will make this meditation part of our New Year program.  More importantly, we will adjust our lives so that selfishness, lust, and hatred never control our actions.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

(Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

Scientists have reported significant medical benefits from infant circumcision.  The procedure is said to reduce the risk of a large range of pathologies from the HIV virus to cervical cancer in sexual partners.  These findings corroborate what was at the root of the practice in ancient Israel: the awareness that the male foreskin is a locus of impurity.  The gospel today shows Jesus undergoing circumcision, but its concern transcends preventing disease.

Mary and Joseph have Jesus circumcised because they are pious Jews intent on obeying the prescriptions of Jewish law.  The gospel of Luke portrays Mary as particularly intent on fulfilling the word of God.  The angel Gabriel told her that the name of the child was to be named “Jesus” – a mandate that is duly carried out here.  Mary also keeps all the happenings of Jesus birth in her heart because she knows that they are ordered by God’s command.

In Mary we have both a grand intercessor and a model.  We should feel free to bring our needs to this woman who sits so close to God.  We should also strive to imitate Mary throughout 2015.  In these turbulent times we could benefit from both her contemplative spirit and her obedience to God’s commands.

Friday, January 1, 2010

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

(Number 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

It would seem to be only a coincidence. Nevertheless, it happens every year. Around Christmas there is a rash of funerals. Most pastors with experience can confirm this reality. In spite of our best attempts to create a heaven on earth at this time of year, people continue to suffer and die.

The truth of the matter is that Christmas can either bring hopeful promise or bitter disillusion. The real problem is not that physically sick people let go of life at Christmas. It is that spiritually sick people are blind to the maladies affecting them. God sends His son to save us from our sins. But we must acknowledge our sinfulness and ask God’s pardon. That is, we must repent of the evil in our hearts that may result in our moral demise. Only by so doing, can we accept the salvation that God offers in his new-born son.

In the gospel today, we see three groups of people receiving the good news of Jesus’ birth in different ways. First, the shepherds hear from the angels that a savior is born and act on the message. They go to Bethlehem to see the child who is their Lord and King. They also tell others of what has taken place to fulfill the Gospel call to evangelize. We may see ourselves as these shepherds. After all we come to church today in order to worship our savior. Let us not forget to testify to others all that God has done for us. Have you ever had a prayer answered? Probably it has happened frequently. Then don’t be reluctant to tell even cynics of how God has blessed you.

The second group that we encounter is the people who are amazed at what the shepherds tell them but fail to move with the good news. Rather, like others later in the gospel who witness Jesus’ mighty deeds, they cut short their acceptance of him. We can understand these resisters as representative of the millions who celebrate Christmas with tinsel, mistletoe, and perhaps attendance at midnight mass but avoid the deeper meaning of the feast. They are like those whom the gospel parable compares to rocky soil in which the word of God cannot make deep roots. In the busyness of life these people’s faith withers and dies.

The third group is really just one person. Mary has already acted decisively on the good news announced to her also by an angel. The passage today says that she reflects in her heart on the events taking place. Thus, Mary becomes the model Christian in whom the word of God has taken firm root and whose fruit is abundant. We will find people like Mary attending mass daily and delivering food weekly for the St. Vincent de Paul Society

Homilette for Thursday, January 1, 2009

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

(Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

We call the first month of the year “January” after Janus, the pagan god of gates and doors. Statues of Janus have two heads like a door has two sides -- one looking backward and the other forward. Certainly in January we look in these two directions. We repeatedly refer to the old year, sometimes mistakenly writing its number on checks. But as the month moves along, we think more of the possibilities lying in the year just begun.

The Nativity scene with Jesus lying in a manger also calls us to look both backward and forward. The manger is not meant to indicate Joseph and Mary’s poverty, but to recall what the prophet Isaiah said of Israel. “An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master’s manger,” Isaiah observed, “but Israel does not know, my people has not understood (me)” (Is 1:3). Now, the evangelist Luke shows, the shepherds of Israel see and know their Lord. The Lordship of Jesus, however, will only be revealed to all lands in the future. After Jesus is crucified, rises from the dead, and send his Spirit upon them, his apostles will preach his name throughout the world.

New Year’s Day is generally reserved for rest and visiting (and, for some, football). But the Church calls us to mass to reflect on the significance of what has taken place during the past week. We have heard the story of Christmas retold. We have celebrated Christ’s coming by acts of kindness and generosity. And we have found ourselves immersed in an atmosphere of peace and goodwill. Like Mary in the gospel we are to reflect on these things in our hearts in order to distill their meaning for the year ahead.

Homilette for January 1, 2008

The Octave Day of Christmas: the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

(Luke 2:16-21)

We call the first month of the year January after Janus, the pagan god of gates or doors. Statues of Janus have two heads like a door has two sides -- one looking backward and the other forward. Certainly in January we look in these two directions. We repeatedly refer to the old year, sometimes mistakenly writing it on checks. But as the month moves along, we think more of the possibilities lying in the year just begun.

The last verse of the gospel reading today similarly looks backward and forward. It says that Mary’s child “was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel...” The word of God spoken in the past has thus been fulfilled. The name Jesus, of course, means God saves. In the rest of the gospel we will hear how Jesus fulfills the destiny related in his name.

Preachers sometimes chide listeners, “Put Christ back into Christmas.” If this call means nothing else, it reminds us that we are to look both backward and forward when contemplating Jesus in the manger. He, like all babies, has delighted us with his soft flesh and warm blood. In the future he will reveal his glory as the son of God with his triumph over sin and death.