" We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek - Jesus, her Son.” -Saint Louis Marie de Montfort
First Reading: NM 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
Second Reading : ROM 1:1-7
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: LK 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 Pietro S. Albano
During those years when I was still living in Manila, my mother had some rituals and traditions to welcome the New Year. She would wear red, spread some coins on the window sills, buy a number of round-shaped fruits, and turn on all the lights in the house. These rituals and traditions bring some sort of happiness and enthusiasm in us as we begin another year.
But there are two things that Mama would tell us during New Year (and in all new beginnings in our life such as celebrating birthdays, finishing our studies, getting a new job, etc.) which stand out: be thankful and be humble.
Reading today's Gospel, we see a new beginning in the life of Mary and Joseph. Mary just gave birth to a son, God's only Son, and then here comes some shepherds to adore her son and to proclaim what the angel had told them about this newborn baby. And what was Mary's reaction? The Gospel tells us that she "kept all these things, reflecting on them in heart". For me, this only means that Mary thanked God (She could have made a repeat of her Magnificat!) and remained humble.
She thanked God because, in spite of the hardships and rejection she and Joseph encountered, here were people in the peripheries recognizing who this baby is. She thanked God because He came as promised. She remained humble because her achievement won't be possible without God. She remained humble because that is the only route which God prefers to walk on. By being humble, Mary became open to whatever God's will and design was. After that first Christmas night, more new beginnings unravelled before her - the Escape into Egypt, the Return to Nazareth, Jesus being found in the temple after three days, Joseph's death, Jesus' public ministry, Jesus' passion and death, Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension. Regardless of the ups and downs of these events, Mary allowed herself to be led by God.
As we welcome a new beginning, let us always remember how God has been good to us and how we should behave when He pours His blessings on us. Let ask for the grace to be like Mary, ever grateful and humble.
A blessed 2017 to all!
Prayer
Thank You, dear Father, for the New Year. Send us Your Spirit to rejoice in Your blessing, to be grateful for Your love and mercy, and to stay humble in Your abiding presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We turn to you for protection, holy Mother of God. Listen to our prayers and help us in our needs. Save us from every danger, glorious and blessed Virgin. (Ancient Prayer to Mary)
By Pietro S. Albano
During those years when I was still living in Manila, my mother had some rituals and traditions to welcome the New Year. She would wear red, spread some coins on the window sills, buy a number of round-shaped fruits, and turn on all the lights in the house. These rituals and traditions bring some sort of happiness and enthusiasm in us as we begin another year.
But there are two things that Mama would tell us during New Year (and in all new beginnings in our life such as celebrating birthdays, finishing our studies, getting a new job, etc.) which stand out: be thankful and be humble.
Reading today's Gospel, we see a new beginning in the life of Mary and Joseph. Mary just gave birth to a son, God's only Son, and then here comes some shepherds to adore her son and to proclaim what the angel had told them about this newborn baby. And what was Mary's reaction? The Gospel tells us that she "kept all these things, reflecting on them in heart". For me, this only means that Mary thanked God (She could have made a repeat of her Magnificat!) and remained humble.
She thanked God because, in spite of the hardships and rejection she and Joseph encountered, here were people in the peripheries recognizing who this baby is. She thanked God because He came as promised. She remained humble because her achievement won't be possible without God. She remained humble because that is the only route which God prefers to walk on. By being humble, Mary became open to whatever God's will and design was. After that first Christmas night, more new beginnings unravelled before her - the Escape into Egypt, the Return to Nazareth, Jesus being found in the temple after three days, Joseph's death, Jesus' public ministry, Jesus' passion and death, Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension. Regardless of the ups and downs of these events, Mary allowed herself to be led by God.
As we welcome a new beginning, let us always remember how God has been good to us and how we should behave when He pours His blessings on us. Let ask for the grace to be like Mary, ever grateful and humble.
A blessed 2017 to all!
Prayer
Thank You, dear Father, for the New Year. Send us Your Spirit to rejoice in Your blessing, to be grateful for Your love and mercy, and to stay humble in Your abiding presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We turn to you for protection, holy Mother of God. Listen to our prayers and help us in our needs. Save us from every danger, glorious and blessed Virgin. (Ancient Prayer to Mary)
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