Holy Mary Mother Of God, Pray For Us
Introduction
It is a pleasure to begin the year 2019 with Mary. As followers of Jesus we want to be close to him. Who was closer to him than his mother? We want to grow up in Christ. Mary conceived him and carried him in her body until he was born from her. She saw him grow up day after day. She helped him grow up. She is eager to help him grow in us. We place ourselves in the care of Mary, that she may help us this year to grow into the full stature of Jesus.
First Reading: God Blesses His People
God blessed the people with whom he had made a covenant: he was to them the source of all blessing. May his blessings and grace come down on us, his people, this whole year long.
First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
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!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
Second Reading: Sons and Daughters of God Through Mary’s Son
God has given us his Son Jesus through the Virgin Mary. With God’s Son, we have become the sons and daughters of God.
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
Gospel: They Found Mary and the Child
The shepherds saw Jesus and accepted him in faith. They praised God and could not keep silent about what they had seen. Mary treasured these events in her heart.
Gospel Reading: Luke 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.
Commentary
The Blessed Virgin Mary receives the Word of God into her person in a way that is unique among the human race, for she is given the great honor of being the mother of our Lord Jesus, true God and true man. As she holds the child Jesus in her arms, she treasures the tremendous gift of the Word of God and continually ponders over its mystery. In so doing, she is a model for all who listen attentively to the Word of God, especially through the reading of the Holy Bible.
As you keep reading and reflecting on the Word of God, may your heart be daily inspired, challenged, consoled, and uplifted. Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, may you be drawn closer to the living presence of her Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Blessing
With Mary, we have blessed the Lord today
that he has done great things for us in the past.
May he keep blessing us
and give us his peace:
peace with God himself, peace with ourselves
peace in our families, peace among nations.
May this year be to all of us
a year of grace,
with the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in peace, a happy New Year to all of you,
and take the Lord’s blessing with you
all the days of your life. R/ Thanks be to God.
###Ma-ry. Ma-ry! Mother Mary…Mama I love You!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!