Today, we celebrate Mary the Mother of God, a truly glorious way for us to start off the new year. I love the Gospel we have today, which is part of the birth-narrative from the Gospel of Luke, recounting the visit of the shepherds to Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child at the stable in Bethlehem. Mary would have been a young adult, a teenager probably, when the Angel appeared to her and told her that she was going to be an important part of God’s plan. The tradition of our faith passes down that Mary was three years old when her parents, St Anne and St Joachim, took her to the Temple in Jerusalem so that she could receive a blessing that was a sign that she would love and serve God in a special way in her lifetime. Mary’s parents raised her according to the Jewish faith and they taught her always to believe and trust in God. Mary said yes to God, even though she did not understand how all of this would happen. Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary’s son became the Savior of the world; his work continues through the Church today. We celebrate her today as the Mother of God.
Today is also the world day of peace, which was first recognized by Pope Paul VI on January 1, 1968, and has been commemorated on this date ever since. “A Culture of Care as a Path to Peace” is the theme of the Pope’s message this year. Besides being a message to the whole world, today’s message is addressed specifically to heads of state, government officials, leaders of international organizations, spiritual leaders, followers of the different religions, and to all men and women of good will. Pope Francis states that “there can be no peace without a culture of care.” He calls for “a common, supportive and inclusive commitment to protecting and promoting the dignity and good of all, a willingness to show care and compassion, to work for reconciliation and healing, and to advance mutual respect and acceptance.” Pope Francis notes how the massive Covid-19 health crisis has aggravated deeply interrelated crises such as those of the climate, food, the economy, and migration, causing great suffering to many. The Pope appeals to political leaders and the private sector to spare no effort to ensure access to Covid-19 vaccines and to the essential technologies needed to care for the sick, the poor and those who are most vulnerable. May we take to heart this peace message that Pope Francis offers us today as we honor Mary as the Mother of God and as we unite our prayers with the prayers of the Blessed Mother.
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