Mary, Mother of God and Peace

Numb. 6:22-27, Gal. 4:4-7, Lk. 2:16-21. At the Council of Ephesus 451 AD, the Mother of Jesus was solemnly proclaimed as Mother of God (Theotokos), acknowledging the Godhead of her Son, Jesus Christ. We celebrate today "Mary, Mother of God" and "World Day of Peace". We pray for peace for our country Nigeria and peace throughout the world especially in the war affected countries. This Solemnity marks the marvellous interaction between God and human person as today's first reading affirms: "When the appointed time came, God sent his Son...and to enable us to be adopted as sons" (Gal. 4:4). Today’s Solemnity invites us to place our hopes and plans for the new-starting year under her motherly care. We can entrust to her our personal concerns and those of our era, the conflicts the glaring injustices, the unequal wealth and opportunity, the war in Syria and Iraq, the case of insurgence and herdsmen attack in our country; all that troubles peace and fairness in our world at large this time.

In spite of everything, we can enter this new year with a sense of wonder and trust. As Mary treasures everything in our heart in today's Gospel, we are invited to treasure it, to ponder the event of incarnation and respond to it, as Mary did. Today, the first day of the New Year, is a day when many feel drawn to make good resolutions. What better new year’s resolution could we make today than that of adopting Mary’s stance before the grace of God? Today’s Solemnity invites us to share in Mary’s sense of awe and wonder before God’s merciful love, made known to us in Christ, her Son. As we look towards a glorious new year, we ask Mary to help us to treasure the Gospel as she did, so that we can mediate Christ to others.

May the Lord break the walls of hatred and discord in our world as we begin a new year and build our nation on the foundation of love and sacrifice! Amen!! Good morning and Have a Grace Filled Year 2020!!!