HAIL FULL OF GRACE, THE LORD IS WITH YOU

                As our Christmas celebrations continue, today we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God which is also New Year’s Day. The Gospel reading tells us that Mary reflected upon the Christmas event in her heart. Most people begin their New Year by reflecting upon their lives as they have been and for what they hope them to be. We make resolutions that we hope to keep and hope will improve our lives.

                Mary has a long tradition of being a role model for us. At the Council of Ephesus the Church Fathers affirmed that Mary is “Mother of God.” In showing reverence to Mary we honor her Son, Jesus, the “fruit” of her womb. St. Bernard of Clairvaux noted, “Let us not imagine that we obscure the glory of the son by the praise we lavish on the mother; for the more Mary is honored, the greater is the glory of her son.”

                Through the willing obedience of Mary, a young Jewish girl from the obscure town of Nazareth, and through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God became flesh. The fullness of God’s plan of redemption arrived when Mary responded to the angel Gabriel: “May it be done to me according to your word.” This began the reverence we have offered Mary through the centuries especially in the prayer we know as the Hail Mary.

                May your New Year of 2017 be a time of grace and prayer modeled on the example of Mary.