The Visit of the Shepherds [Solemnity of Mary Mother of God - January 1, 2012]

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God [January 1, 2012]

Luke 2:16-21

16So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.17When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.18All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.19And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 21When 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.

Reflection

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman… so that we might receive adoption.” ~ St. Paul in Galatians 4:4-5, 2nd Reading

Most of us have already heard this truth, but does it sustain us in our daily lives? Has it become the central guiding principle of our lives? To answer that question, it may help to explore what it means to be a child of the heavenly Father.

First and foremost, being children of God means that we aren’t orphans; left alone in this world to fend for ourselves. No. God loves us and treasures us more than we can ever comprehend. He has called us his own, and he will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Second, being a child of God means that we carry the “family name.” This is our identity. Not only does it define who we are, it also tells us what we can become as we learn to cooperate with God’s grace. It even tells us that we can come to bear a resemblance to our heavenly Father because we are sharing in his very nature (2 Peter 1:4).

So while you’re formulating your New Year’s resolution today, ask Mary to guide you. Each day of this coming year, make it a point to remind yourself of who you are, where you came from, and where you are going. Live as the son or daughter that you are. It will make your Mother very happy!

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).