Proclaim: God Saves!

O Holy Mary! My Mother; into thy blessed trust and special custody, and into the bosom of thy mercy, I this day, and every day, and in the hour of my death, commend my soul and body. To thee I commit all my anxieties and sorrows, my life and the end of my life, that by thy most holy intercession, and by thy merits, all my actions may be directed and governed by thy will and that of thy Son. - St. Aloysius Gonzaga

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: Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8.

Second Reading: 2 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: 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.

Reflection
By Nicola S. Albano

The birth of Jesus was proclaimed to the shepherds by the angels. After the shepherds witnessed what was proclaimed to them, they continued to glorify, and praise God, and proclaim the message that the Savior was born. We too could relate with those shepherds. In what seemed 'just any ordinary day' we receive an unexpected blessing from the Lord. And then we are inspired to do marvelous things, such as glorifying and praising God at Mass or in our private prayers and sharing our blessings with the less fortunate especially during this Christmas season.

Eight days after the Holy Child's birth, he was circumcised and named Jesus as told by the angel Gabriel to Mary during the Annunciation.  Jesus in Hebrew means “God saves”. As we welcome the New Year, may we become witnesses of Jesus to others, particularly with those who are hopeless of salvation, those who continue to doubt God's love for them, and those who reject His message. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our mother, inspire us to count our blessings and boldly proclaim the good news of our salvation with the people around us through our thoughts, words, and deeds.

Prayer

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. 

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.