A Strong Woman

 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

01 January 2022

 

First Reading: NM 6:22-27

Responsorial Psalm: PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

Second Reading: GAL 4:4-7

Gospel: LK 2:16-21

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

In one of the virtual meetings we had in the Diocese's Vocations Team last year, a nun told me: "Mary is a strong woman." Indeed, Mary's reaction when she heard the shepherd's testimony was remarkable: "she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart." Indeed, we could dismiss her as a simple girl who would lamely agree and accept what the shepherds told her and Joseph. However, here is a woman who would "take what they have heard and then turn it over, muse on it, consider it from various perspectives, question it, wonder about it, delight in it" (Bishop Robert Barron).

As we start a new year, we could not fail to look back at the year that was. COVID-19 would still be on top of the list for sure, plus other global and local issues. There would also be personal achievements, challenges, and failures. How do we make sense of these? What do these things tell us as we welcome and move forward to 2022? Are we just going to accept them as part of life or are we going to discern God's message and plan in these?

"Mary is a strong woman." Her life as God's Mother was not a bed of roses. Her life was full of challenges and sorrows. She and Joseph escaped with the baby Jesus to avoid Herod's wrath. She and her family returned later and lived in the remote town of Nazareth. She stood courageously at the foot of the Cross. She witnessed her Son's Resurrection and Ascension. She was with fellow Christians when the Holy Spirit descended on them. Through it all, her faith was unshaken. As we welcome the New Year, let us draw strength from Mary, God's Mother and ours that we too may treasure all the wonderful things that God has done for us last year and ponder them in our hearts.

Prayer

Lord, Jesus, thank You for the New Year. Thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayers and example of Mama Mary, give us a strong heart that would seek, marvel at, and fulfil Your plan. Amen.