OUR HOPES AND PLANS UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
There is no time more appropriate to consecrate ourselves to the patronage of Mary more than the beginning of a new start of the year. Usually, a new start is always apprehensive, tense and worrisome for all with a mixed feeling of hopes and fears for the future. These feelings are normal, natural and human. Yet, they invite us to have recourse to God and his divine plan and promise for us.
This is why the Church in her wisdom has not only recognised and declared Mary´s motherhood of God: “Theotokos” in the Church´s Council of Ephesus in 451 AD. She also sets this feast at the first of the New Year. God´s plan for humanity was made perfect in Mary at the fullness of time. As such our plan under the patronage of Mary will be made whole and fruitful in God.
OUR THEME
The readings of this special day and holy feast invite to count our blessings in God´s providence and divine intervention in every moment and history of our existence. We need God´s blessings, protection and graciousness to weather through life´s inevitable challenges.
FIRST READING: NUMBERS 6:22-27
God through Moses instructed Aaron and the priests on how to declare His Choicest blessings, protection and grace upon the children of Israel. “The Lord bless you and keep you; Amen! The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; Amen! The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen!”
The psalmist in Psalm 66, declares “May God bless us in his mercy! Amen! As well as invites us to trust in his goodness and graciousness. And equally praise revere his name at all age!
SECOND READING: GALATIANS 4:4-7
St. Paul in his letter to the Church of Galata brings home to our understanding the central message of today´s feast: Mary, Mother of God. For him, our inheritance, our adaption, and our privilege in God through Christ Jesus is all possible through Mary´s absolute yes to God´s plan. Hence, Mary, Mother of God is also our Mother. Through Mary, we are co-heir with Christ and we can call God Abba, Father and Papa! What a special and singular privilege and honour!
THE GOSPEL: LUKE 2:16-21
The Evangelist Luke presents to us the fullness of God´s revelation and salvific plan to save and redeem mankind through Jesus Christ. The predestined plan made possible through Mary cooperation. Today, we witness the shepherds visit the manger. Later, Jesus is circumcised and named.
1. There is a fulfilment of God´s plan in Christ Jesus!
2. The shepherds´ testimony of the angels’ declaration Good news to Israel and their worship and praises of God.
3. Mary´s virtue of contemplation of God´s word and internalize it in her heart at all times.
4. Through the Blessed Virgin Mary God has done so much for us. We need her patronage, intercession and exemplary lifestyle to cooperate and fulfil God´s plan for us. This is the core message of this feast.
THE NEW YEAR, 2021 INVITES TO CERTAIN ATTITUDE AND DISPOSITIONS:
(a) A HEART FULL OF THANKSGIVING despite all that we went through in the year 2020. My best quote of the year is a thought my elder brother Tom share with me; “Gratitude is the least of all virtues and ingratitude is the worst of all vices.” On a personal note, my greatest lesson of the year is that: “I will never in life live with this conception that life is not fair or God is unjust with me.”
Life is a nightmare for a lot of us because we live through life with grudgingly and ungratefully whining about something and everything.
Hence, I invite you before you end the year whining or regretting about God, life and others remember prettily well you are alive breathing air others pay to stay alive and remember to you are not six feet below the earth like many who began the year 2020 with us. Just ask yourself, how grateful am I, for the small and great things that happen to me this year?
(b) THE SPIRIT OF REPARATION, that is, being sorry for your sins against God´s goodness, the damages you did to others especially the good and innocent people in your life, and as well your deliberate or careless errors or mistakes against yourself, especially the use of God´s given opportunities or grace in 2020.
Yes, indeed, our human relationships are far from being perfect in marriages, in families, in communities, in institutions and in general. Within the course of the year, we have hurt each other insensitively, deeply and inhumanly.
The questions are; how willing are you to give and receive pardon or forgiveness? How humbly do you admit to your shortcomings or take the blame for your errors and mistakes without being blameworthy to Satan or others for your actions, words and even thoughts?
(c) GOD´S PLAN FOR YOU AND YOUR FUTURE. In an age of too much pessimism, negativities and skyrocket speed of bad news from the media, the society, churches, or individuals´ gossip or “amebo”. Where and when we are all too inclined to prognostics or premonitions that all and everything will be bad or worst in the coming year.
The projection of hardships, economic depressions, insecurities, violence, hunger, and so many stuff like that. What are your consciousness or dispositions to life and the future?
Are you more of the devil, Satan, demons and evil dominated and oriented world with little or no room for God and goodness in life, in the world or the future? Or are faith-based and trusting in God who promises through His word in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Do you see goodness, grace and mercy of God in charge of our lives, plans and future?
(d) YOUR PLANS AND YOUR DECISIONS within the scheme of God´s. This is our New Year resolution or promise to God, ourselves or others. We are not just existing beings who live and die. Our lives are purpose-driven, to dream and to achieve greater highs.
What passion drives your dreams, informs your decisions and plans? Sense of competition or rivalry? Blind and unrealistic ambitions? Sense of comparing yourself with everyone else? Or a sense to solve human problems? Contributing meaningfully and positively to the lives of all who cross your path?
Am I ready to be a useful or fruitful instrument in the hands of God? To be a beneficiary to God’s plan? To be a blessing unto myself and others?
No matter how we articulate living our lives in the year 2021, if your life is not driven by sensitivity and empathy to relate, to feel and to connect with others and benefit theirs lives – yours is a stalked life that will grow or attain fulfilment. This is not a curse but truth and reality of human existence. In life, we add meanings to ours by adding meanings to others.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, at the end of the year 2020, we recognise and acknowledge your goodness, mercy and grace in our lives and we bless and praise for such unmerited favours and blessings. As we initiate the new year of 2021, help us to consecrate and live under the divine patronage of your mother and our mother too, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Amen
3 Comments