1ST JAN. 2020. SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD. READINGS: Num 6:22-27; Ps 67; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21
NEW YEAR BLESSINGS!
In the language of Facebook users, wetin I gain if I begin this Year 2020 without asking for God’s blessing? Wetin I gain if I no make New Year resolutions by adopting Mary’s stance before the grace of God? Wetin I gain if I begin this year without making resolutions?
As we begin a New Calendar Year, we must prepare ourselves to receive God’s blessings and be aware of His presence and willingness to say ‘YES’ to whatever God has in store for us 2020. Be assured of the maternal protection of Mary, Mother of God throughout 2020.
When a Lion runs and stop to look back, it is not out of fear but to look at the distance it has covered. We must stop tonight and look back into the year 2019 and access the distance we have covered, and enter into New Year with new aspirations, determination, restored vigour and new projects. For the blessings of God shall follow us.
The First Reading gives us a blessing on this day. It is called the Aaronic blessing because this is how Aaron and his descendants were to bless the People of God. This blessing is appropriate at the beginning of this Year: a year of anxieties, aspirations and many more.
The Second Reading reminds us that God has sent His Son, born of a woman (Mary) to save us and make us children of God. We are now invited into a new relationship with God. We have become the adopted children of God.
When the shepherds in the Gospel text brought to Mary, what had been told about the newborn King, she treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart. Mary’s willingness to reflect on God’s plan for the world’s salvation is an example of how we need to see how we fit into God’s plan. Mary did not just say “Fiat-Let it be.” She continually had to say YES to God’s plan.
As we begin this New Year, we can take Mary (Thoeotkos-God bearer) as an example of how we can say yes to God. In this Year, may God bless and keep us. We are in His hands. He keeps us in existence and never forgets us. The Lord looks kindly upon us. May He make us to be a people of peace. Be at peace with God, one another and with yourself.
HAPPY NEW YEAR