Homily For the Solemnity of The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God, January 1, 2023. World Day of Peace
Sunday Readings
“The world being unworthy to receive the son of God directly from the hands of the Father, he gave his son to Mary for the world to receive him from her.”
– Saint Augustine
My Dearest Friends In Christ,
On this day we honor Mary, whom the Church has honored greatly with the title of the Mother of God (Theotokos). This title is also one of the four Marian Dogmas. This Dogma of the Divine Motherhood of Mary, states that Mary is truly the Mother of God by she being the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, and the Son of God. Because we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, therefore, it is only natural that Mary should also be the Mother of God, as the Mother who brought forth into this world God Himself, Incarnate in the flesh.
She Deserves The Title of Mother of God
In the encyclical Marialis Cultus (1974) Pope Paul VI states: “This celebration, assigned to January 1 in conformity with the ancient liturgy of the city of Rome, is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation. It is meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the ‘Holy Mother through whom we were found worthy to receive the Author of Life.’ The word “conceive” applies not only to the body but also to the spirit, as was stated by the Second Vatican Council: “The Virgin Mary, who at the message of the angel received the Word of God in her heart and in her body, is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and of the Redeemer. Rightly, therefore, the Fathers see Mary not merely as passively engaged by God, but as freely cooperating in the work of man’s salvation through faith and obedience.” (Lumen Gentium, nos. 53 and 56)
May God’s Blessings Be With You
This great feast, therefore, reminds us of Mary’s active cooperation in the Salvific Mission of God as the Mother of His Son Jesus who became incarnate to become a source of blessing to mankind.
In the First Reading Moses was directed by God to tell Aaron and his sons to invoke His Name upon the Israelites for His Blessing. In our time, God through Mary gave Jesus the source of our Blessing to the world. It was from the fullness of Christ’s Blessings that Mary was enriched in Grace to become the Mother of God, an honor that would not have been possible without Grace. Today I invoke God’s blessings upon you as Aaron and His son did to the Israelites of old. Therefore, as we begin this journey into the New Year I bless you with tthese words:
“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 .”
As those who have been made adopted sons and daughters through the spirit of regeneration in Christ and freed from the bondage of slavery of sin, may we never go back to the life of sin that brought us pains in the past year. We have been given the power to call God Abba, Father; that is to say, we are now confident of being heard by God when we call upon Him.
The Past Does Not Define Your Future
The world is full of uncertainties. Many are already wondering whether this year will favor them. To some, the past year might have been a good or bad one. However good or bad the past year might have been, we are no longer in the past and the past does not define our future. Dear friend, as this New Year begins, journey with hope and optimism trusting God in all things and calling on Abba, Father in every circumstance you encounter.
Reflect and Meditate
When the shepherds narrated to Mary and Joseph the message they received from the angels about Jesus, Mary kept all those words in her heart, reflecting on them. On this note, I want to emphasize reflection, as we journey through our noisy world of many distractions this New Year. Reflecting on our actions and decisions are great ways to make the right decisions and minimize the possibility of error. Those who act impulsively without reflection always end up making terrible mistakes and regretting them. Reflection and meditation are the best ways to discover the inner voice of God that speaks to us in every event of life. In meditation, we discover the truth that leads to life. May we learn from the example of Mary and confide in her in our moments of sorrow and tribulation. She is our Mother and our powerful intercessor. Those who fly to her patronage will never be despised.
I keep you and your family always in my prayers. ©Clem C. Aladi (2024)
Pray your rosary daily to invoke Mary’s presence and the Blessings of her Son. May all your aspirations this year be realized. May your toil be a source of blessing. May no harm or sickness come close to where you dwell. And may God’s Blessings make you fruitful and successful in all your endeavors. Amen. I wish you a Joy-filled New Year.‼️
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