READING I Numbers 6:22-27

The Lord said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. 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!  So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

READING II         Galatians 4:4-7

When the designated time had come, God sent forth his Son born of a woman, born under the law, to deliver from the law those who were subjected to it, so that we might receive our status as adopted sons. The proof that you are sons is the fact that God has sent forth into our hearts the spirit of his Son which cries out “Abba!” (“Father!”). You are no longer a slave but a son! And the fact that you are a son makes you an heir, by God’s design.

GOSPEL       Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger; once they saw, they understood what had been told them concerning this child. All who heard of it were astonished at the report given them by the shepherds.  Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, in accord with what had been told them.  When the eighth day arrived for his circumcision, the name Jesus was given the child, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

My sisters and brothers in Christ,

We Catholics begin the year remembering Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  There are wonderful gifts of grace to be received through praying to Mary, who is also our Mother.  Far too often others cannot understand why we pray to Mary, Mother of Jesus, our Mother and Mother of the Church.

Mary leads us to Jesus, over and over.  Mary points us to the mystery of God at work in creation and in our lives.  Mary guides us as a Mother does, holding our hands, but always taking us to Jesus and His Father by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The first reading today is from the Book of Numbers and is the Aaronic Blessing which we can use today as a blessing for this New Year which is just beginning.  We do not know what this New Year will bring to us.  Yet it is Mary who helps us live in faith and accept whatever is.  Let it be!  Let whatever God sends to me be accepted in faith.  If the blessings are positive and full of joy, let us rejoice.  If the blessings seem negative and we must accept suffering, let us do so with the Lord Jesus, guided by Mary.

The second reading is from the Letter to the Galatians.  It reminds us that God the Father sent His Son to be born of a woman so that we also might be adopted into His divinity.  We are not slaves of God but rather heirs of God.  What could that possibly mean?  It means that God is a God who loves us and who wants us, with our full freedom, to choose to live His life.  There is always pain, suffering and brokenness in our world because our God leaves us free.  The more we turn away from the Lord and His ways, the more we embrace a lack of tree freedom.  This lack of true freedom brings about suffering and brokenness in our world.

Today’s Gospel is from Saint Luke and gives an account of the first part of the life of Jesus.  There are two things that stand out:  Mary who ponders in her heart and the child who is circumcised and given the name Jesus.  Mary shows us again the love of a Mother who loves and who seeks to understand her child.  The circumcision speaks of the humanity of Jesus and His name tells us that He comes to save us.

As we begin this New Year, let us call on Mary, our Mother, to watch over us.  May she help us learn how to ponder all that happens in our hearts so that we may always respond by faith.  May the humanity of Jesus encourage us to walk in His ways.

Your brother in the Lord,

Abbot Philip