The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord |
The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Intention: That with this new year will come a new spirit in all people as we discern how to work together to heal our broken world by building the Kingdom of God.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 2:16-21
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.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
From the Meditation on the Holy Name of Mary | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
The road you must follow through this life being so dangerous, you need a guide to walk safely. You cannot have a better guide than the Most Blessed Virgin, because she is most pure within and without, because the saints call her the treasurer of the graces that God has given to her to share them with you, and because she knows all the paths and means to keep you safe amid the dangers you will encounter. This is why it is most advantageous to allow yourselves to be guided by her, because, says Saint Bernard, when we follow her, we cannot go astray; when we think of her, we cannot wander from the right path; when we pray to her, we can never despair of reaching the place where we intend to go; when she helps and upholds us, we cannot fall; when she protects us, we can fear nothing, and when she guides us, we cannot grow weary.
Prayer
Eternal Father, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and the birth of a new year, we pray that you would create us anew. Awaken us to the sacredness that surrounds us and empower us to live life to the full. Bless our relationships with those who we love and reconcile us to those with whom our relationships are broken. Heal us from our sins and make us instruments of your peace and justice. May your Kingdom be built through the work of our hands and the love in our hearts. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.