Tag: Mary Mother of God

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God | The Octave Day of Christmas

From the responsorial psalm: “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. May God bless us in his mercy.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 2:16-21)

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.

Luke describes what happens after the angel appears to the shepherds and says, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” In obedience to the angel’s message, the shepherds travel in haste to Bethlehem to find Jesus. As they share with Mary and Joseph what happened, Luke tells us that Mary kept all these things and reflected on them in her heart. After the shepherds return home, they continue to witness to the birth of Jesus Our Savior, glorifying and praising God. Instructed by an angel, the shepherds leave home on a holy pilgrimage to encounter Christ; they return home as witnesses to others of the glory of God and the birth of the Messiah. In the celebration of Christmas, Jesus invites us to find him in Scripture, in service to others, and especially in the Eucharist, where he remains present—body and blood, soul and divinity, as the risen Christ.

God, you always keep your promises; strengthen my trust in you. Through the message of an angel, the shepherds were instructed to go and find Jesus. They found him wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, just as the angel told them. Also in today’s Gospel, Luke tells us that at his circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel at the Annunciation. As Mary did, help me keep these revelations and reflect on them in my heart. You bless and speak in hearts who desire to hear you, yet your voice is unmistakable in your ultimate Word, Jesus Christ. As the Gospel acclamation says, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 

In today’s Gospel reading from Luke, Mary and Joseph take Jesus to Jerusalem according to Jewish custom to present him to the Lord in the temple. Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would see Christ before his death. On taking Jesus in his arms, Simeon says, “Lord, now let your servant go in peace.” These same words are contained in the night prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours. Simeon goes on to say: “Your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” Simeon was, Luke says, “righteous and devout . . . and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” Saint John, in the first reading, describes the key to Simeon’s devout life of hope and expectation: “But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.” How do I live each day so that the love of God is perfected in me?

God, as Simeon awaited the consolation of Israel, Emmanuel, so I wait for the understanding and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Help me learn how to keep your word so that your love can be perfected in me. What more in life is there left to desire once I see Christ the Lord? Yet, Simeon took in his arms and saw with his eyes what I can consume daily in the Eucharist: the body of Christ. Mary, Mother of God, as Simeon’s blessing and prophesy must have weighed unbearably on you, pray for me for the strength to endure any hardship as I await the consolation of Christ your Son.

Thank you, Lord, for your continuous presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Your body is true food; your blood, true drink. In your presence, there is no need of lamplight or sunlight because you yourself are the source of all light.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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