Gospel Reading
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.
Lk 2:16-21
Gospel Reflection
Happy New Year!
The Second Reading for today's Solemnity gives us the reason for why Mary, the Mother of God, is so important to us. St. Paul says that "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" (Gal 4: 4-5). In other words, God sent His Son, born of the Virgin Mary, so that we can be called children of God. Therefore, since Jesus was born of Mary, so then each of us are able to call Mary not only the Mother of God but also our Mother.
Being reminded of this fact at the beginning of the New Year is important for each one of us. For if we take Mary as our Mother, we have a great intercessor before God in Heaven. Mary loves us in a very deep, gentle way. She looks at us with great tender care and wants us to succeed as disciples of her Son. If we commit today in this New Year to turn to Mary, our Mother, we will be stronger in our daily work as we grow holiness in this Year of Our Lord 2023.
As always, know of my prayers before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
+Bishop Schlert
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