Homilies

NEW YEAR'S DAY: MARY, MOTHER AND QUEEN OF PEACE

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We celebrate the New Year as the World Day of Peace, and also the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God. Mary is presented in Scripture and in the doctrinal teaching of the Church as the Mother of God.

The oldest Biblical testimony to this doctrine of Mary as the Mother of God is our second reading taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians:  “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 Vatican II presents, our Blessed Mother has a unique dignity and role in God’s salvific plan: “The Virgin Mary is acknowledged and honoured as being truly the Mother of God and the Redeemer. Redeemed in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son and united to him by a close and indissoluble tie, she is endowed with the high office and dignity of the Mother of the Son of God, and therefore she is also the beloved daughter of the Father and the Temple of the Holy Spirit (LG 53).”

It is fitting to reflect on the title “Mother of God,” theotokos, meaning God-bearer. In our journey of faith, Mary is our important guiding star. What more beautiful way to look upon Mary but as our Mother. In enriching our faith life, this Marian spirituality is very important.
Humanly speaking, I personally owe my faith to my mother. As a young boy, my mother always taught me, from my first words to my first prayers to my first acts of faith. I would recall that she often goes to church and says her prayers, setting a good example for each of us siblings. Before leaving for school, I can recall her words of encouragement that we would meet at church after class hours to attend the daily Mass. This went on for years. Even during the busy academic schedule of the secondary level, we always see each other at church.

I go to my parents for counsel, especially to my mother. Both in good times and bad, she is there ready to give wise words from her mind. Miraculously, her words hold truth in it. She seems to be very good at it. Later would I realize that these practices of going to my biological mother for counsel were introductions in going to the Mother, whose counsel never fails. The life of a Christian is incomplete without going to Mary for Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding.

The Mother of God is also our Mother. After all she taught our Lord Jesus Christ many things in His earthly years. We too go to her. Jesus in his dying at Calvary, said these words, “Behold Your Mother.” Our Mother will always be there for us. She gives us the perfect example of what is means to be a true Christian. We are also called to be “God-bearers.” We bring Jesus to others.

Bringing Jesus to others entails following Mary’s example as the Queen of Peace. We will find it very hard to bring Jesus to others if we ourselves are not in peace. Peace with our own self, neighbours, and God. Starting the New Year with a great peace of mind, heart and soul is one of the greatest things to do. This may be a tough inclusion in our New Year’s resolution, with all the pressures that life today is giving, but it is never that hard to try. Following Mary our Mother’s example is the best way. The Gospel tells us that “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” May all of us have a blessed New Year! Amen.

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