Theotokos

Greetings on this the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
The Octave Day of Christmas

Readings: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21

Notes

People did a lot of running as accounted for in sacred Scripture. In the past days we have Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, the disciple Jesus loved all running. Today: shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. After we run, we rest. We rest in the Lord. Why are they running and to whom are they running? Jesus, of course. And who is the one who brings him? Theotokos. Mary, his mother, ‘the one who brings forth God.’

Where are you running to today? Why is today so special even if it is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year?

Last Year: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2023/01/01/in-haste-to-ponder/
(note: haste means excessive speed or urgency of movement or action; hurry).

Summary

The singular grace of being the Mother of God, Son of the Father, is obviously singular. We are born once. We die once. We live this life once and the next life forever. We celebrate the incarnation in the infancy of Jesus. We celebrate the nativity of Jesus in his Mother who bore him. We celebrate her Yes to the Lord, incarnate, meaning made in her flesh. Mary, Theotokis, the one who brings forth God. By her passivity to the divine will. By the action of the Spirit to overshadow. By the love of the Father to share his only Son. By these things, the sanctification and permanence of the human form, the human person – you, is made permanent and holy forever.

Reflection

You, my dear reader, in the flesh, and sanctified to the Lord. He, in his sharing of our human form, has made us holy in him, forever. Consider the Preface prayers of the Nativity, in part, and only two examples.

Preface I – For in the mystery of the Word made flesh a new light of your glory has shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that, we as we recognize in him God made visible, we may be caught up through him in love of things invisible.

Preface III – For through him the holy exchange that restores our life has shone forth today in splendor: when our frailty is assumed by your Word not only does human mortality receive unending honor but by the wonderous union we, too, are made eternal.

Personal Reflection

We say you are perfectly made because the Lord made you perfectly in your imperfection. When he sees you, he sees himself. In the nativity, which happens through, with and in the Blessed Mother, the holy exchange that restores our life has shone forth today in splendor: when our frailty is assumed by your Word not only does human mortality receive unending honor but by the wonderous union we, too, are made eternal (Roman Missal).

Jesus died for us, yes. He first was born for us.

Thank you, Blessed Mother. Thank you, Mary, Mother of God. In your person brings the possibility of Jesus in my person too. Not in the singular sense but in the purposeful intent of the Lord. Now, brothers and sisters, go… go and praise God and receive his blessings.

First Reading

Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

Responsorial

May God bless us in his mercy.

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.

Second Reading

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law. God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Gospel Acclamation

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

Gospel

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry