Mary, the Mother of God • Today is New Year's Day. It is also the 8th day in the Octave of Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. Christmas is too great a feast day to fit into a single day. With Mary we "ponder these things in our hearts." Today we "zoom out" from the Baby Jesus and reflect on the spiritual motherhood of Mary. The Church believes that God has called his mother to be our spiritual mother. She is, in a sense, standing behind our earthly mothers. I encourage you to get to know your spiritual mother.
We also see the spiritual Fatherhood of God in today's reading. First, we see God naming his Son, "God saves." The second thing we notice is that God adopts us as his children. The third thing we see is God blessing his children. This blessing makes perfect sense if you picture yourself holding a little baby. These words are what you might want for that child and what the child might want from you.
In 2023 may you experience the love of Mother Mary and the love of God the Father. May 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!
(1 Jan 2023)
Going Deeper: Consider reading a book about Mary such as A Heart Like Mary by Fr. Edward Looney. Try starting each day by praying (or singing) an Our Father, and ending each day with a Hail Mary or a decade of the Rosary.
Image Source ✵ The Oriens journey continues! | Over 10 years of homily episodes available at PilgrimPriest.us/podcast | Like, subscribe, and share us with your family and friends | Find me on Facebook and Twitter | Powered by Patrons | give through PayPal
Grafted and Pruned (First Communion Homily) | #1425
The Good Shepherd Calls Turkeys Like Us | #1424
Five Places Jesus Wants to Give You Peace | #1423
The Wounds that Heal | #1422
Easter Pancakes | #1421
What Is Jesus Worth to You? | #1420
You Should Wash Her Feet | #1419
The Passion Reveals Our True Colors | #1418
The Real Mission of a Catholic Priest | #1417
The One Commandment that Does Not Make Sense | #1416
The Most Disturbing Passage in the Bible? | #1415
Out of Order | #1414
Be My vaLENTine | #1413
Sin is Contagious - Lent Holds the Cure | #1412
Does Talking About Anxiety Make You Anxious? | #1411
Five Ways We Can Hear God's Voice | #1410
Eucharistic Epiphany in Cowley, Alberta | #1409
Entrusting Our New Year to the Mother of God | #1408
Perfect Love Casts Out Fear | #1407
The Gift That Everyone Needs But No One Seems to Want | #1406
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Kingdom Power Fellowship Podcast
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)