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Daily Scripture, January 1, 2024

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Scripture:

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

Reflection:

Today’s liturgy celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.  While the early church revered Mary as Jesus’s mother, not until the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD was there a formal declaration that Jesus was both human and divine, and therefore a declaration that Mary was truly the Mother of God.

The Israelites longed for the coming of the Messiah.  Among the manifestations of the Messiah was the concept of the Royal Messiah—a king arriving in glory and suppressing those who oppressed God’s people.  Remember that Herod massacred all boys two years old and younger so that he would have no threat from a prophesied king.  Tragically, Herod and most everyone else missed the full message of the prophets.  Instead of a majestic arrival in a royal court, God chose a young virgin to become the mother of Jesus, and her child was born in humble surroundings.  Instead of a royal proclamation of his birth, God chose shepherds, considered by some to be on the lowest rungs of society, to proclaim that the Messiah had been born in Bethlehem. 

From these circumstances of Jesus’s conception and birth, God sent a message that this was no ordinary child.  For the remainder of his time on earth, Jesus would reach out to those on the margins of society. 

Mary knew she had a special child—the angel told her so—and that she was given the responsibility to raise Him.  From fleeing to Egypt to avoid persecution, to finding her pre-teen son preaching in the temple, to nudging Him to perform the miracle at the wedding feast, to his sufferings and crucifixion, she was always with him and guiding him as only a mother can do! 

Mary, Mother of God, we pray that you will walk with us and guide us, just as you were always close by your 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. 

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