Solemnity of the Mother of God

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God, a feast that honors the Blessed Virgin Mary as the mother of Jesus, the Son of God.

The celebration of the Mother of God on New Year's Day serves as a reminder of the central role that Mary plays in the life of the Church and in the life of each individual Christian. It is a time to reflect on Mary's maternal love and devotion to her son, Jesus, and to draw inspiration from her example of faith and trust in God.

As we read in the gospel, the shepherds visit the newborn Jesus in the stable, and "Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart."

This passage speaks to the deep love and devotion that Mary had for her son, Jesus. She was willing to bear the burden of motherhood, even in the face of great adversity and uncertainty. She embraced her role as a mother with courage and faith, and her example teaches us much about the importance of maternal love and the nurturing of new life.

One movie that connects with this theme is "The Lion King," which tells the story of a young lion named Simba who must overcome his own doubts and fears to become the leader of his pride. In this film, we see the love and devotion of Simba's mother, Sarabi, as she encourages and supports him on his journey.

There is a memorable scene where Sarabi talks to Simba about his responsibilities as the future king and says, "We all have our roles to play, Simba. Mine is to support and guide you until you are ready to lead on your own. Just as my mother did for me, and her mother before her, and on and on."

This quote speaks to the enduring bond between a mother and her child and the important role that mothers play in guiding and nurturing their offspring.

Science fiction writer Robert Heinlein once said , "Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation."

As we celebrate this feast day, let us strive to emulate the faith, devotion and attitude of Mary, the mother of God. We can do this by being better disciples, fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters to those around us.

This can involve taking the time to listen and offer support to those in need, showing love and compassion to those who are struggling, and being a source of strength and encouragement for those around us.

Let us remember the words of Sarabi and strive to support and guide those around us, just as Mary did for her son, Jesus.

You may have heard that Pope Emeritus XVI passed away early this morning at the Vatican in Rome at the age of 95. I would like to honor his memory and end with a beautiful prayer that he wrote about the Blessed Mother:

"Mary is the perfect model of maternal love. She is a mother who is always ready to listen, to understand, to forgive, and to support. She is a mother who is always there for her children, no matter what. May we all strive to imitate her maternal love and devotion, and may we always turn to her as a source of inspiration and guidance in our journey of faith."

Happy New Year!