I remember walking into the room and seeing my little sister for the first time. Mom was sitting on the edge of the hospital bed holding my sister’s tiny fingers in hers as she gazed lovingly on her sweet, soft, pink little face.
I thought about that scene when I reflected on the great Solemnity we celebrate in the Church today – the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. Can you imagine what emotions our Blessed Mother experienced as she looked into the tiny face of the Infant Jesus for the first time?Mary was and is no marble statue but was a real flesh and blood woman with all the emotions that women experience. Her great love for Jesus was pure and maternal and her soul was filled with reverence and awe of the Great Mystery that lay before her. She was and is a mother; she is Theotokos, the Mother of God! What happiness must have been in her heart as she opened the blanket and lifted him up so the shepherds could see his sleepy face. She listened carefully as they recounted all they had seen and heard.
St. Paul tells us in the Letter to the Galations today that God sent his Son, born of a woman…that we might receive adoption as sons. (Gal. 4:4-5) If we are sons and daughters of God by adoption than Mary is our mother by adoption. Jesus confirmed that relationship from the Cross. (For a deeper look into this mystery click on http://www.advent2008.org/story.php?id=31325).
I thought about that scene when I reflected on the great Solemnity we celebrate in the Church today – the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. Can you imagine what emotions our Blessed Mother experienced as she looked into the tiny face of the Infant Jesus for the first time?Mary was and is no marble statue but was a real flesh and blood woman with all the emotions that women experience. Her great love for Jesus was pure and maternal and her soul was filled with reverence and awe of the Great Mystery that lay before her. She was and is a mother; she is Theotokos, the Mother of God! What happiness must have been in her heart as she opened the blanket and lifted him up so the shepherds could see his sleepy face. She listened carefully as they recounted all they had seen and heard.
St. Paul tells us in the Letter to the Galations today that God sent his Son, born of a woman…that we might receive adoption as sons. (Gal. 4:4-5) If we are sons and daughters of God by adoption than Mary is our mother by adoption. Jesus confirmed that relationship from the Cross. (For a deeper look into this mystery click on http://www.advent2008.org/story.php?id=31325).
What a beautiful way to begin this New Year – by meditating on who we are – children of God and children of Mary. Let us praise God for the great miracle of the Incarnation and for our mother. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus! Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death! Amen. A blessed and Happy New Year!
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