Mother’s Day in January
theophilus January 1st, 2009
I’m not a theologian but I think I’m finally starting to get something.
Today is, of course, January 1st. For us Catholics, it should be Mother’s Day for Mary because it’s the Feast Day or Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
It is the day for us to contemplate Mary as the Mother of Jesus, and as such the Mother of God. Mary is also our mother, as we are all children of God (see John 1 from yesterday’s gospel and Galatians 4 from today’s second reading). We must not forget to give her the respect, attention and love due to such a noble and caring intercessor, protector, comforter, confidante and guide.
This feast is also the time to continue our contemplation of Jesus as true God and true man.
It is this second contemplation that has had my mind turning all day.
In Morning Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours), I was struck by two of the intercessions. One prayed that “[y]ou made yourself like us, in your mercy grant that we may become more like you.” The other prayed that “[y]ou made yourself a citizen of our earthly city, grant that we may become citizens of our true homeland, your kingdom in heaven.”
The first intercession reminds us that Jesus was true man. He was fully human. He was one of us. The second intercession reminds us that Jesus is true God and he has a divine kingdom, which is heaven.
The first intercession urges us to emulate the man he was while on earth, so that our second intercession can be granted; that we may join him in heaven. If we follow his human example, we can share in his divine and eternal life.
As I speed into this new year, I am going to try and spend more time in asking God and Mary to help me become more like Jesus in the coming year. I really don’t know exactly what this request entails, but I know the Holy Spirit will let me know as each day unfolds.
Also, on this New Year’s Day, I was especially moved by today’s first reading from Numbers 6. It’s the blessing we have heard so many times before. “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!”
God does extend this blessing to us each and every day. It’s up to us to acknowledge and accept this blessing each and every day. If we allow ourselves to be so blessed, we will emulate Jesus and we will spend our eternal lives with him.
As this new year dawns, God’s firm hand is extended; Jesus is inviting us to walk by his side; Mary’s arms are open wide to greet us. It’s up to us to accept and go to them through prayer, devotion, charity, sacrifice, commitment to work, and love for our family, friends and neighbors. It’s up to us to have a running dialogue with God and ensure that we are offering every moment of our days to Jesus, through Mary.
It’s up to us to live as true children of God; to embrace our divine filiation with our Creator. I’m thinking that’s not a bad New Year’s resolution at all.
