HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD (2)
HOMILY: (Lk. 2:16-21) Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, January 1, 2019, New Year
In today’s Gospel, the Solemnity of Mary
HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD
HOMILY THEME: MOTHER OF JESUS MAN AND GOD
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
HOMILY: (Lk. 2:16-21) Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, January 1, 2019, New Year
In today’s Gospel, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, the shepherds found Jesus, the Messiah with His mother Mary and earthly father, Joseph. The Church placed this beautiful feast to usher in a new year because of its significance in our faith to Jesus, true God and true man. Yes, the feast is not really about Mary but about who Jesus is to us. Throughout the year, throughout our faith life, we must never forget that Jesus was born of a woman and embraced fully our humanity. And together with that belief is the recognition of Jesus, true God,sent by His Father to save us. Mary the Mother of God is an expression of faith that Mary was the mother of Jesus man and God.
Let me quote from catholic.com for a brief explanation of this solemnity: “A woman is a man’s mother either if she carried him in her womb or if she was the woman contributing half of his genetic matter or both. Mary was the mother of Jesus in both of these senses; because she not only carried Jesus in her womb but also supplied all of the genetic matter for his human body, since it was through her—not Joseph—that Jesus “was descended from David according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3). Since Mary is Jesus’ mother, it must be concluded that she is also the Mother of God: If Mary is the mother of Jesus, and if Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God.”
Our faith is starting us right. We look forward to the coming year as a journey with Jesus the true man, thus giving us Himself as a model in earthly life. At the same time, Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, came to save us. Mary’s life was also an example of this divine truth. Her role as mother did not stop when she gave birth to Jesus. She reared them like any good faithful mother should. Not only that, while she being a mother to Jesus, she also was aware of her own discipleship. She was a good disciple, a good Christian. She knew that she did not only have a son but as saviour a God, as well.
2016 is about to end. 2017 is coming soon. Years are just marks. They help us stop for a while and evaluate and reflect on the past and look forward to the future. In all of these, Jesus, true God and true man, the Son of Mary, is our focus.
“The Virgin Mary, being obedient to his word, received from an angel the glad tidings that she would bear God” (Against Heresies, 5:19:1 [A.D. 189]). IRENAEUS
Prosperous and blessed new year 2017 to everyone!
Mary, Mother of God! Pray for us.
