Mary Kept These Things In Her Heart (SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD/NEW YEARS DAY - YEAR A)

JANUARY 01, 2023, SUNDAY
THE OCTAVE DAY OF CHRISTMAS 
SOLEMNITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (White)
(NEW YEAR'S DAY)
CYCLE A - YEAR I
Lectionary: 18

Reading I
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

R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

Reading II
Gal 4:4-7

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.

Alleluia
Heb 1:1-2

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

This is the octave day of Christmas, dedicated as a solemnity to Mary, The Holy Mother of God. The gospel invites us to join the shepherds as they visit the new-born child in Bethlehem, and to share in their wonder and joy. Have our celebrations over the Christmas Season brought us closer to Jesus and his mother? Or have we found it difficult to find oases of quiet time in which to enter deeply into the mystery of it all?

We cannot but be aware that this is also New Year’s Day. How do we feel about entering a new phase of our journey through life? Are we in an expectant and hopeful mood, or are we apathetic or despondent? Whatever our feelings may be, it would be good to share them with God and ask his blessing on the days and months ahead.

PRAYER:

Lord, like Mary may I find room in my cluttered life simply to rest and be quiet in your presence. Mary’s heart was a sacred space, and mine is also. Fill it with the joy of your presence.