Gospel: January 1, 2025
January 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
(Octave of Christmas),
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Holy Day of Obligation
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8 (2a)
May God bless us in his mercy.
1st Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
2nd Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
So they came hurriedly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. On seeing him, they related what they had been told about the child; and all were astonished on hearing the shepherds. As for Mary, she treasured all these words, and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds then returned, giving glory and praise to God for all they had heard and seen, just as the angels had told them. On the eighth day, the circumcision of the baby had to be performed; he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Reflection:
“Life is a journey of growth in love and hope.”
New Year is like the summit of a mountain from which we can survey the past and look to the future. It’s an opportunity to reflect on many things: relationships with family and friends; our work; our world; on what was achieved and what was left undone. But our Christian faith places the turn of the year into the much bigger context of God’s Providence. Life is not simply an endless cycle of passing of months, but a journey of growth in love and hope.
Our journey through life is continually sustained by God. Our task is to grow in our awareness of God’s presence, by pondering prayerfully, like Mary, so that we are transformed. “May the Lord let his face shine on you … and give you his peace.” At the start of the year, we ask for God’s blessing; that his glorious face will shine upon us. But that glory of God has the power to touch all those around us, too, if we let that glory radiate from us as his instruments of love and peace. May Mary the Mother of God walk with us on our journey and deepen our hope and trust in God.
