Num. 6:22-27; Ps. 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal. 4:4-7; Lk.2:16-21
Mary, mother of Jesus, mother of God! Many from other Christian denominations question how the Catholic church can call Mary the mother of God. Mary is the creature and God the creator, Mary is born in time and God is eternal and yet this is what we say of Mary, mother of God. Jesus tells us in John 14:9 “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” and in John 10:30 makes clear “I and the Father are One” that is in essence and in nature. This makes Mary the Mother of God through the Son. This does not mean Mary created the universe and yet she is honored as Queen of the Universe. God has given Mary a special place of honor in the kingdom of God.
Today is a day in which we honor Mary for having said “yes” to the Lord, accepting the will of the Father to carry out her divine purpose in bringing the Son of God into the world. She is called “full of grace” for she carries the divine light without sin. In doing so she becomes also the mother of the Church and our mother as children of God. Mary’s role is intercessor for her people since the beginning when we see at the wedding of Cana telling the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn. 2:5).
You may have heard the church is trying to avoid confusion by not referring to Mary as co-redemptrix because Jesus is the one redeemer of our sins. If you hear this title being used the intent is not to elevate Mary to be equal to Jesus but to see her in support and still being a part not only of redemption history but in her intercessory role for us, not equal in a co-equal role, not greater as the Mother of God, but as the handmaid of the Lord. Correct language is vital to good theology but also clear interpretation of language.
Mary is the blessed one who the Lord keeps from sin from the day of her birth through her earthly life. His face shines upon Mary that she may reflect his light and his peace. Mary’s apparitions always come with a bright light from heaven. She also reflects her humility and peace bring us her message of hope. She is and was a servant of God in both her earthly state and in her divine state. The Church honors her today fulfilling the cry of Elizabeth when Mary came to visit her “Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb”. As a mother she too brings us Jesus her son to change the heart of his people.
The blessing of God is what we seek not only as followers but as children of God. When we make the sign of the cross, when we take holy water upon our forehead, when we are being blessed by the priest, we seek the blessing to keep us from sin, to keep us on the Lord’s path, to grow in the ways of the Lord. The blessing of God is what gives us the hunger for God to call out to him as our Father, “Abba, Father”. The Lord shines his face upon us when we come to give thanks at the altar and to receive him in the Eucharist.
As Mary gives birth to Jesus in the incarnation, we as children of God are called to spiritually give birth to Jesus in our hearts. We are to be the temple of the Lord that we may say “as I live the Lord lives in me”. If the Lord lives in me, what am I doing with my life to nurture the spirit of God within that we too may give life to others? Mary gives birth to the incarnation of Jesus and we are to give life to the incarnation of Jesus in our own being. She is the model of surrender to Jesus we are to follow. In this way we may live in his image responding to the Father’s will.
This is a new year many will make a new year’s resolution. The type of resolution we make is generally how to improve something about ourselves, the better ways to take care of our mind or body. What we also discover is any resolution requires active intent to work at it. It is the “how to” plan to get there. If it was an easy process, it would not need special attention. We desire it but we don’t desire to work at it, to overcome how trying an effort it involves. The best results require our best effort.
What is Jesus’ resolution and prayer for us each and every day? Jesus’ prayer is that we may all be one. Jesus is calling us to improve our relationship with him, within our family, and with our neighbor. For Jesus it is all about relationship, the Trinity, his coming as human and divine, his calling his people to be united as a church, as a family and with our neighbors. Jesus is in relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is calling us to improve our relationships that we may all be one.
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