“Catholics are frequently criticized
because of the prominence and respect given to the Virgin Mary while
simultaneously condemned for not giving enough prominence and respect to
women.”
Gospel Text: (LK 2:16-21)
The shepherds went in haste to
Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this
child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the
shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as
it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his
circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him
by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
Today on the octave of Christmas we
celebrate Mary. We celebrate Mary because God chose her from all women of all
time to be God’s own mother -- Jesus is Son of God and the son of
Mary! But we celebrate Mary not only because she conceived and bore Jesus
but also because she is Jesus’ most faithful disciple — and our model for
following Jesus.
The Gospel invites us to contemplate
Jesus’ birth: shepherds responding to angels and rushing to Bethlehem and
beholding Mary and Joseph and Jesus lying in a manger.
We contemplate the scene with Mary:
"And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on
them in her heart."
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Mary teaches us that being a
disciple of Jesus means keeping Jesus in the center of
our hearts and allowing Jesus'
presence to guide all the thoughts, words and actions
of our lives.
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From birth to death Mary pondered
Jesus!
So, here on this New Year's Day as
the world turns to a new chapter, we, in the
contemplative spirit of Mary, have
the opportunity to make peace with all the
events-good and bad-of the past
year, to remember God's abiding love for us—come
what may, and to turn to a New Year
with hope and trust.
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