January 1 - Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mother of God

 

First Reading  Nm 6:22-27
The Priestly Blessing of Moses

 

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
May the nations be glad and exult

 

Second Reading  Galatians 4:4-7
God sent his Son when the fullness of time comes.

 

Gospel Reading
Luke 2:16-21

 

 

Today as we begin a New Year, the Church honours Mary with a sublime title: Mother of God. The greatness of her motherhood is not primarily built on blood relationship. There is a spiritual meaning for her motherhood. St. Augustine rightly says “Prium concepit in mente quam corpore” which means “Mary conceived Jesus first in her mind and later in her body”. This means that Mary was filled with Jesus even spiritually. And as we begin this New Year let us ask God to help us to do the same: to conceive Jesus in our minds, to be filled with Jesus.