Today's celebration
gives us an opportunity to reflect on something wonderful: the Gospel presents amazed people and shepherds and a reflective Mary.
The people are amazed because the shepherds told them
about the message they heard from the angels. Everything took place as they
said, and you know, we are very much like the shepherds, I mean, we are common,
everyday working people who have been called by angels to witness the miracle
of God’s salvation in the form of Jesus Christ. You may say that you don’t
remember an angel coming to visit you or a heavenly host singing Glory to God in the highest, but at
Christmas we are called by God to the manger. This is a grace. We have been
called by God to witness His Presence on earth, to do our part in the salvation
of humankind, that’s why we are here this morning (evening).
And we are amazed. When life’s troubles weigh on us,
we still experience the reality of His Presence. We know that no matter what
the future holds, positive or negative, we will not face it alone. The very
names we read in the Holy Scripture confirm this: He is called Emmanuel, God is with us. His name is Jesus; the name that means Yahweh saves
us.
In today’s Gospel Mary reflects in her heart the
events of Jesus’ birth. She knows better than anyone that this child is both
her’s and God’s. Mary has a unique role to play in mankind’s salvation. She
gives birth to the Savior. She stands beneath the Cross. She becomes the mother
of mankind. Her role in the work of the Lord does not end with His birth, it
just begins and continues even now as we call upon her as the Mother of God and
mother of the Church. Over and over again we pray in the Hail Mary, Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners now and at the hour of our death.
When we do this we are asking her to use her unique
relationship to God to call upon Him to care for us. That is why the Rosary is
such a powerful prayer. In the rosary we are recognizing Mary’s role in our
salvation as the Mother of God and our mother.
Today, on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, I
commend the Rosary to you. Say this prayer daily. Don’t worry about the
repetitions, don’t worry if you get sleepy while you pray, just say it or at
least try, and let Mary take your cares to her Son. Remember: our blessed Mother has a unique relationship with the Divine.
She is the Mother of Jesus, She is the Mother of God, and she is always with
us. The Eucharist and the Virgin are the treasures of this parish community. We
can live without many things, but without the Eucharist and Mary are not going
anywhere ■
