We seek God’s blessings as did Mary. Because of her son, we can confidently call God, ‘Abba!’”
A homily from the New Year’s Day based on readings from
Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 67, Galatians 4:4–7, Luke 2:16–21
These readings are available at the USCCB website.
Happy New Year, everyone! Today the world celebrates the first day of new year; we celebrate Mary, the Mother of God and we pray in special way today for justice and peace.
Mary has become the mother of God. And all who heard of it were amazed, just as we are amazed when we think about it.
On the surface, it is simple. Jesus is God. Mary is Jesus’s mother. Mary, then, is the mother of God. How simple. How incredibly profound.
Mary, the creature, Mary, the virgin, Mary the sinless one becomes the mother of the most high God, our Lord Jesus Christ. Mary carries in her womb God who cannot be contained by the universe! By doing so she unites God and man in a way that not power can overcome. Our dignity is forever changed. We see in this wonderful motherhood our own adoptions as beloved daughters and sons of God. We are each of us meant for union with God.
If we truly live out lives in such a way that we show we recognize and honor this truth, then no other New Year’s resolutions are required.
We begin the year by praying today for justice throughout the world and for peace. Both are truly blessings. In our first reading today, God tells us how he would like to bless us.
The Lord bless you and keep you! – we rely on God, and he gives us everything!
The Lord let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you! – we are in relationship with God the most high!
The Lord look upon you kindly and
give you peace! – we are in right relationship with God and we enjoy the peace that only God can give!
We pray today that his peace will not just rest on us. We pray today that the entire world, people of all situations and backgrounds may know the Lord’s justice and my live in his peace. We simply and fervently wish to share the gift that God gives.
Let’s make this New Year’s resolution: Let our actions show that we are all beloved daughters and sons of Christ! Have a happy and blessed New Year!
“Let our actions show that through Mary, the mother of God,
we are all beloved daughters and sons of Christ – a New Year’s resolution!”1