January 1 – Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
“I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:10-11). With these words, the Angel of the Lord communicated to the shepherds the fulfillment of the great promise made to Israel, joined by a magnificent chorus of the heavenly hosts to glorify the Most High for the birth of the Redeemer: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased!” (Lk 2:14).
After the Angels had returned to Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us” (Lk 2:15). There they found Mary and Joseph, and the Child lying in the manger. There could be no poorer dwelling than a cave, nor a more humble cradle than a manger!
St. Luke tells us only that they “they made known the message that had been told them about this Child. All who heard it were amazed” (Lk 2:17-18). But he does not fail to emphasize: “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Lk 2:19).
In that humble grotto, a new relationship between men and with the Creator was inaugurated, which Dr. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira summarized as follows: “Never has a mother’s heart loved her Son more tenderly. Conversely, God never loved a mere creature so much. And never has a Son loved His Mother so fully, completely, and superabundantly.”1
The fullness of time had come – as St. Paul declares to the Galatians – in which “God sent His Son, born of a Woman, born under the Law” (Gal 4:4), associating Mary Most Holy with His salvific plan as Mother of the Redeemer.
On this first day of the year, we celebrate the chosen one upon whom God has cast His benevolent gaze: the Mother of God, Mother of the Church, Mother of all men.
In a time when neo-paganism invades the face of the earth and devastating wars, which may reach an unpredictable magnitude, threaten us at every moment, we seek peace. But this will only be authentic and lasting if it is built on the firm rock of Truth, the teachings of the Gospel, and the fulfilment of the Ten Commandments.
As Msgr. João Scognamiglio Clá Dias, EP, affirms, “peace lies in men, peoples, and nations placing God in the centre. […] Peace will only be obtained when Mary is in the centre, for at the centre of her life and thoughts is Jesus!”2
Let us turn our eyes to Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace and our Mother; may She intercede for us, asking that the humanity of today allow itself to be enlightened by the truth that will set it free (cf. Jn 8:32). ◊
Notes
1 CORRÊA DE OLIVEIRA, Plinio. “Filho, eis aí tua Mãe”. In: Dr. Plinio. São Paulo. Year XVIII. No. 213 (Dec., 2015), p.5.
2 CLÁ DIAS, EP, João Scognamiglio. Homily. Mairiporã, 1/1/2008.
