Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
(Sunday 1st January 2017)
Mary, our model and our Mother – (Luke 2:16-21)
‘As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.‘ I remember clearly the story that the Friars tell. It was nearly Christmas at their homeless shelter in the Bronx, and they would present gifts to many homeless families at Christmas. One of the brothers had an idea that they would ask a world famous basketball player such as Michael Jordan to hand out the gifts, the question was how to ask him. One of them saw his mother attend Mass often in their parish, so the next time he saw her he would ask her. As Brother met her, the question was asked, and immediately she said; “He will be there”. The Friar asked that if there was a change of plan that the woman would tell them. She said; “He is my son, if I ask him, he will be there”.
The image we have in the gospel today is Mary as a mother, which is the feast we celebrate today and the highest honour we give Mary; Mary Mother of God. She is the model waiting quietly watching over her Son, as a mother will know best the needs of her children, silently waiting on their every need. Then they go to the Temple for the circumcision, when the parents present their child and they will give them their name. The name given to this unique child is; Jesus, which is different to all others as he is one of the Divine Persons of the Holy Trinity, therefore He is God. Therefore the Church has given to Mary the title; Theotokos or Mother of God, the first and highest of her titles.
Our Lady therefore is the model and perfect example of motherhood, she is the perfect example of how a mother should love, as only a mother can know how to love her children. In a world where we might wish to reject motherhood, or where its suggested a career is equally important, the church wants to exalt again the vocation of motherhood. We must really look to our Lady and follow the example she gives, to see the beauty and value of the great vocation many are called into. This is the greatest and first title given to Our Lady, Mother of God and She is Mother of the Church. In 2012 Pope Benedict XVI said that She is the way to Her Son; Jesus, She is the way to follow. Today the Virgin Mary points Him out to us, She shows us the Way: let us walk in it! And you, Holy Mother of God, accompany us with your protection. Amen.
Fr. Seán Crowley