THE THEOTOKOS AND PRINCE OF PEACE: HAPPY NEW YEAR WITH MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (NUMBERS 6:22-27. LUKE 2:16-21).

Dear Sisters and Brothers, as we gather at the commencement of a new year, the Church invites us to celebrate the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and World Day of Prayer for peace. This solemnity offers us an opportunity to start this new year with the Women whose son is called also “Prince of Peace”. (Isaiah 9: 6, John 14:27).  What does it mean to call Mary, “Mother of God” and how does this title help us under better her role in God’s plan of salvation? 

Throughout the time of Advent, the biblical passages we meditated on enlightened us on the human origine of Jesus, his lineage with the Old Testament. The genealogy of Jesus as narrated by Matthew and Luke underlines his birth as a fulfillment of prophecies and God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants. Born to the family of Joseph and Mary, Jesus was not only provided a human family, protection, and care, but also legitimacy. Thus, he was sometimes be referred to as “son of Joseph but also son of David ”. He lived fully his human condition, was hungry, testy, cried, sympathetic, merciful, accommodating all, especially all those excluded by the society of his time. He was considered a great prophet. Brief, the personality of Jesus intrigued many.

However, even in the time of Jesus, not many understood really who he was.  Thus, even those who initially believed in him, took him to be simply a great prophet. Even the idea of “a messiah” given to him had a political connotation. In all these quests to know who Jesus really is, we need to ask ourselves what did Jesus say about himself? 

Although, his actions speak more about who he really is that his word, on few occasions Jesus spoke about himself: in John 8:58 - Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” This statement is significant because “I am” echoes God’s self-identification in Exodus 3:14, indicating Jesus’ claim to eternal existence and divinity. In John 10:30 - Jesus states, “I and the Father are one.” This assertion of unity with God the Father is a clear claim to his divinity. In John 14:9, responding to Philip’s request to show them the Father, Jesus says, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”  In Matthew 26:63-64, during His trial before the high priest, when asked if He is the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus affirms and says, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” This combines a claim to divinity with the title “Son of Man,” a reference to the divine figure in Daniel 7:13-14. This is one of the assertions about his identity that prompted his condemnation by the religious authorities of that time.

Keeping in mind all these divine assertions (and many others), we see that Mary didn’t give birth simply to Jesus of Nazareth, she gave birth to the Son of God, the visible face of the invisible God. Mary is therefore called mother of God because Jesus is one of the three persons of the Holy Trinity. Everything about Jesus speaks God to us: his name: Jesus (Yeshua): God saves, delivers says it all. Who else among all creatures knows Jesus better more than Mary? Certainly, no one.

In Mary, heaven and earth converge, and through her, the eternal Word takes flesh. Jesus, her child, is the epitome of God's blessing to humanity, the visible face of the invisible God, the Prince of Peace prophesied by Isaiah.  In Jesus, the abstract notions of blessing, peace, and divine favor become tangible. He embodies the fullness of God's grace and truth. Through His teachings, His miracles, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, Jesus fulfills the priestly blessing of Aaron in a way that no one else could. He becomes the ultimate priest, the mediator between God and humanity, and the source of eternal peace.

Mary is our model in our journey of  faith.  Just as she pondered these things in her heart, we too are called to meditate on God's word and action in our lives. In a world where God is often considered distant or abstract, Jesus presents to us a God who is intimately involved in the human story. He invites us to experience God's love and mercy firsthand, to find peace not as the world gives, but as a gift of His grace.

As we embrace this new year, let us do so not with fear or apprehension but with hope and faith. The same God who was faithful in fulfilling His promises through Mary and Jesus is with us today. Let us, therefore, step into this new year with a renewed commitment to living in the light of God's grace, following the example of Mary and Jesus.

Christ Jesus is at the same, Priest, Prophet, and King. Therefore, we can happily impact these divine blessings on all families of the earth today: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. »

 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL🙏🙏🙏

 

LET US PRAY

Heavenly Father, as we stand at the dawn of this new year, we turn to You with hearts full of hope and gratitude. Inspired by the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, we reflect on Your unfailing promises and the fulfillment of Your divine blessing in Jesus Christ.

Lord, just as You blessed Your people through Aaron with a promise of Your presence, protection, and peace, we ask You to bless us anew. May Your face shine upon us, grace us with Your mercy, and turn towards us with Your peace. In every challenge and joy that this year holds, may we remain anchored in Your love and guided by Your light. 

We honor Mother Mary, the Mother of God, as our example of faith and obedience. Through her "yes" to Your call, she became the vessel of Your greatest blessing to humanity. Help us to emulate her trust and openness to Your will, that we might fully embrace the plans You have for us. 

In Jesus, Your Son and our Prince of Peace, we receive the perfect manifestation of Your blessing. May His teachings, His sacrifice, and His resurrection continue to be a source of peace, hope, and salvation in our lives. As He has bridged heaven and earth, may we too be instruments of Your peace in our world throughtout this new year 2024.

Bless us, O Lord, and keep us; make Your face shine upon us and be gracious to us; turn Your face toward us and give us peace. Amen. 🙏🙏🙏