Reflection for Mary, the Mother of God
Each year on January 1, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. It is very fitting that we celebrate Mary and ask her to accompany us as we embark on a new year. Mary accompanied Jesus on his journey here on earth. She accompanied the members of the Early Church. She accompanies us on our own journey of faith in the modern world.
In addition, each year of January 1, the Pope issues a prayer for peace. This tradition started with Pope Paul VI in 1968. This year’s theme centers upon all we have gone through as a society these past several years: “No one can be saved alone. Combatting Covid-19 together, embarking together on paths of peace.” Pope Francis uses a quote from 1 Thessalonians about how Paul urged the Thessalonians to remain stedfast, as Paul wrote: “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” Pope Francis writes: “when tragic events seem to overwhelm our lives, we are called to keep our hearts open to hope and to trust in God, who makes himself present, accompanies us with tenderness, sustains us in our weariness and, above all, guides our path.”
We pray for peace, unity, healing, and reconciliation in the new year of 2023. We pray for a end to the anger, strife, impatience, and discord that has divided our society in recent years. We wish all of you and your families a blessed new year of 2023 as we continue to celebrate the season of Christmas. Father Lincoln.
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