The Blessing of the New Year with Mary

The Blessing of the New Year with Mary

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

Num. 6:22-27, Gal. 4:4-7, Lk. 2:16-21. On this first day of the New Year, we celebrate the Solemnity of the "Most Holy Mother of God" (Theotokos - God's bearer), commemorating Mary’s special role, privilege and honour as the Mother of God. We also celebrate "World Day of Peace" with the theme "A Culture of Care as a Path to Peace". According to the Holy Father, "Peace, justice and care for creation are three inherently connected questions, which cannot be separated...", for genuine care for our lives and our relationship with nature is inseparable from fraternity, justice and faithfulness to others. As we begin a new calendar year, we are challenged to prepare ourselves to be aware of the presence of God and willing to say “Yes” to whatever God has in store for us in year 2021.

Today's first reading projects the Aaronic blessing because this was how Aaron and his descendants were to bless the People of God. We tap into this blessing and ask that God should shine His divine light upon us. We have been graced with God’s life and love within us so that God will always look upon us kindly. God wants us to be people of Peace. We are called to be at Peace with God and with one another and within ourselves. Paul, in today’s reading reminds us that God has sent the Son, born of a woman, to save us and make us the children of God. It is through Mary that God the Son became incarnate and because Jesus has shared our humanity, we are now invited into a new relationship with God. As we begin this new year and pray for peace, we can take Mary as an example of how we can say “Yes” to God. It will be something that we will have to reflect on, over and over, during the course of the year and throughout our lives. In a spiritual way, we are called to be “God bearers.” We are called to bring forth Jesus Christ into our own lives and the lives of 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, care, justice and sacrifice! Amen!! Stay safe and Have a Grace Filled Year 2021!!!

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