Celebración de la palabra

Mary – Mother of God

It is a pleasure to begin the year with Mary. As followers of Jesus we want to be close to him. Who was closer to him than his mother? We want to grow up in Christ. Mary conceived him and carried him in her body until he was born from her. She saw him grow up day after day. She helped him grow up. She is eager to help him grow in us. We place ourselves in the care of Mary, that she may help us this year to grow into the full stature of Jesus.

First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27 God spoke to Moses:
"Tell Aaron and his sons, This is how you are to bless the People of Israel. Say to them,
God bless you and keep you,
God smile on you and gift you,
God look you full in the face and make you prosper.
In so doing, they will place my name on the People of Israel - I will confirm it by blessing them."

Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7

But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived.

Prayer

Our faithful and saving God,
in Mary our earth said its yes to your call
and there burst upon humanity
forgiveness and blessing and new life
in the person of your Son Jesus Christ.
Give us Mary’s trusting faith,
that we may ever be close to Jesus
even in the darkness of suffering
and that we may take him
to the poor and the lonely of our world.
Bless us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Video available at: bibleclaret.org