Daily Scripture, January 1, 2025
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Scripture:
Numbers 6:22-27
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21
Reflection:
Happy New Year!
We begin this year with the beautiful, timeless blessing Moses shared with Aaron and the Israelites:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
This passage is more than retelling a moment during the Exodus journey. This is our blessing, too. We begin the new year assured that God will be watching over us, caring for us and always loving us.
Today we celebrate the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, the oldest Marian feast day in the calendar. Luke’s Gospel returns to the visit of the shepherds following Jesus’ birth. He writes that Mary “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” This is one of three moments when Luke uses a similar phrase. The other two are when the angel Gabriel told Mary she would have a son, and when Jesus was 12 years old teaching in the temple. As a woman of great faith, she reflected and prayed over these and many other significant events during Jesus’ life.
Mary, like most mothers, would have questions, lots of questions, for her Son. No one else in the Gospels comes close to spending as much time with Jesus. She raised Him, introduced Him to Jewish law and practices, accompanied Him in His travels, witnessed His ministry, remained with Him as He suffered and died. She did not simply observe. She needed to understand Him. Just imagine the conversations between mother and son.
In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke tells us that Mary returned to Jerusalem with the apostles and disciples following Jesus’ ascension. I believe Mary would have been a spiritual director for the early church community. She would have guided them to a deeper understanding of Jesus’ teachings.
Let us pray that Mary, the Mother of God, will guide us in this new year to a deeper relationship with her Son.
Mike Owens is coordinator of the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission of Holy Cross Province. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.
Scripture: Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a Matthew 21:23-27 Reflection: As Christmas rushes closer we are brought up short by the introduction of the mysterious prophet Balaam, son of Beor. What he has » Continue Reading.
Friday of the Second Week of Advent Scripture: Isaiah 48:17-19 Matthew 11:16-19 Reflection: I have often heard "prosperity evangelists" quote today’s first reading and psalm. They say, "See? God intends » Continue Reading.
Thursday of the Second Week of Advent Scripture: Isaiah 41:13-20 Matthew 11:11-15 Reflection: This second week of Advent the prophecy of Isaiah shows us a New Exodus more marvelous than » Continue Reading.
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11 Matthew 18:12-14 Reflection: Isaiah continues to be the prophet of God’s marvelous mercy as he proclaims, "Here is your God… » Continue Reading.
Monday of the Second Week of Advent Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10 Luke 5:17-26 Reflection: Today’s first reading expresses the excitement and anticipation of God’s coming into our midst. Notice where God’s blessings » Continue Reading.
Second Sunday of Advent Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12 Reflection: Today we light the second candle of our Advent wreath as the darkness of the northern hemisphere settles upon us » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26 Mathew 9:35 – 10:1,5,6-8 Reflection: Today’s Gospel presents a very touching scene: Jesus moves among the towns and villages, teaching, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, curing » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 29-17-24 Matthew 9:27-31 Reflection: Living with Our Eyes Open Today’s Gospel selection presents Jesus dealing with the blindness of two blind men who called » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 26:1-6 Matthew 7:21, 24-27 Reflection: It is hard to reflect on the reading from Isaiah and the reading from the Gospel of Matthew and not realize how timely » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-10a Matthew 15:29-37 Reflection: I received an e-mail recently, with this subject: "Tell me how he did it, and I’ll give you a thanksgiving turkey." The "it" was a » Continue Reading.