From The American Bible Society:
January 1, 2012
Mary, Mother of God
MAY THE LORD LOOK ON YOU WITH FAVOUR
Luke 2:16-21 (Good News Translation)
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. 17 When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child. 18 All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. 19 Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. 20 The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them. 21 A week later, when the time came for the baby to be circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name which the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
Other Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Galatians 4:4-7 ;
Lectio
From a liturgical viewpoint, Christmas time will not end until the 10th, the first day of Ordinary Time. But, in fact, the music, cheers, kisses, and fireworks of New Year’s Eve psychologically mark the end of this period of the year. On this day, just like every time we finish a stage in our life and begin a new one, ours are really “mixed feelings.” There is the joy of knowing that a period is over, that in a sense we have overcome time; but if the days left behind were good and prosperous, we know that we will miss them … but, even so, they are happily over! Confused as we may feel, there is not a very sharp difference with our perception of the future. Again, the joy of starting something new, expected in hope, is mixed with a speck of fear about the unknown path ahead of us. We may say that we, Christians, share to a certain extent the same bittersweet feelings of melancholy non-believers experience this day. There is, however, a deep difference, expressed in the first reading of today’s liturgy. We must admit that most of the book of Numbers is a long collection of lists: from the first census of the people of Israel on, we find rules, norms, instructions, and regulations about almost every realm of life. Amid that thick legal “forest,” though, we find three short verses which illuminate and give sense to the rest of the book, and to the way in which the Israelites –and all believers - must face life. Under the sign of God’s benevolent look, the Hebrews started their journey to freedom and dignity. Under his blessings, they entered the Promised Land, and it is under that same light that we Christians walk in life. No wonder the first text we read on the first day of the year is a blessing. No wonder, either, that the first person we meet is Mary, the Mother of the Lord. For us, Christians, she is the model and sign of all believers. In humble and faithful silence, she received and accepted God’s Word. And her acceptance, just “in the right time,” made possible the birth of him who came to redeem us, so that “we might become God’s children” and call him “Father.” It is, then, in a confident, humble and hopeful way that we face the New Year and life as such. And Mary, once again, (together with Joseph, her ever neglected husband), is for us an example of faith, hope and confidence. From the very beginning of the story reflected in the Gospels, Mary and Joseph face all kinds of distress. First, an unexpected pregnancy and Joseph’s generous acceptance of it. Then, when everything seems ready for childbirth, a census and a trip to another town; coupled with hostility and rejection, so that the child has to be born in a stable. Even if there were some moments of joyful comfort (angels, shepherds, visitors from the East), the menace of death for the child meant a flight to Egypt, a foreign land full with memories of slavery. And amid such a noisy tumult, we may find Mary’s silent reflection on all those things, which must be kept in the memory with a deep sense of confidence and calm. God’s plans, difficult to understand as they may be, are designs of blessing for those who trust in him.
Meditatio
Amid all the din and confusion of the New Year, let’s approach our meditatio today in the same spirit of Mary: in silence and peaceful reflection. Compare the Holy Family’s meandering, rough and troubled way with the year you are leaving behind right now. Do you really think you have any serious reason to complain? Can’t you find something about which to feel thankful, or a faint sign of hope for your future?
Oratio
Whether we look back to 2011 or forward to 2012, there are many people and circumstances to pray for. First, for those who have suffered during this past year - that their sad memories do not let them fall into despair, nor that they forget the good things they have enjoyed, scarce as they may be. Second, for those whose decisions shape the destiny and fate of the people –politicians, economists, those responsible for justice, peace and welfare of the world - that they constantly keep in mind the welfare of humankind and endeavor to attain it. For ourselves, that through our fidelity to God, we may contribute to the creation of a new world according to God’s plans.
Contemplatio
Most of us, at the beginning of the New Year, make some special promise: “I will quit smoking, take to practicing some sport, start studying French…” In most cases, let’s be sincere, we make these promises to no avail! This year, let’s try something simpler: every night, before going to bed, find an event, speck of joy, sign of blessing, unimportant as it may seem, for which to thank God. Do not wait until the end of the year!
Reflections written by Rev. Fr. Mariano Perrón Director of Inter-Religious Affairs Archdiocese of Madrid, Spain
© 2010 American Bible Society. All Rights Reserved. 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023-7505
January 1, 2012
Mary, Mother of God
MAY THE LORD LOOK ON YOU WITH FAVOUR
Luke 2:16-21 (Good News Translation)
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. 17 When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child. 18 All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. 19 Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. 20 The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them. 21 A week later, when the time came for the baby to be circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name which the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
Other Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Galatians 4:4-7 ;
Lectio
From a liturgical viewpoint, Christmas time will not end until the 10th, the first day of Ordinary Time. But, in fact, the music, cheers, kisses, and fireworks of New Year’s Eve psychologically mark the end of this period of the year. On this day, just like every time we finish a stage in our life and begin a new one, ours are really “mixed feelings.” There is the joy of knowing that a period is over, that in a sense we have overcome time; but if the days left behind were good and prosperous, we know that we will miss them … but, even so, they are happily over! Confused as we may feel, there is not a very sharp difference with our perception of the future. Again, the joy of starting something new, expected in hope, is mixed with a speck of fear about the unknown path ahead of us. We may say that we, Christians, share to a certain extent the same bittersweet feelings of melancholy non-believers experience this day. There is, however, a deep difference, expressed in the first reading of today’s liturgy. We must admit that most of the book of Numbers is a long collection of lists: from the first census of the people of Israel on, we find rules, norms, instructions, and regulations about almost every realm of life. Amid that thick legal “forest,” though, we find three short verses which illuminate and give sense to the rest of the book, and to the way in which the Israelites –and all believers - must face life. Under the sign of God’s benevolent look, the Hebrews started their journey to freedom and dignity. Under his blessings, they entered the Promised Land, and it is under that same light that we Christians walk in life. No wonder the first text we read on the first day of the year is a blessing. No wonder, either, that the first person we meet is Mary, the Mother of the Lord. For us, Christians, she is the model and sign of all believers. In humble and faithful silence, she received and accepted God’s Word. And her acceptance, just “in the right time,” made possible the birth of him who came to redeem us, so that “we might become God’s children” and call him “Father.” It is, then, in a confident, humble and hopeful way that we face the New Year and life as such. And Mary, once again, (together with Joseph, her ever neglected husband), is for us an example of faith, hope and confidence. From the very beginning of the story reflected in the Gospels, Mary and Joseph face all kinds of distress. First, an unexpected pregnancy and Joseph’s generous acceptance of it. Then, when everything seems ready for childbirth, a census and a trip to another town; coupled with hostility and rejection, so that the child has to be born in a stable. Even if there were some moments of joyful comfort (angels, shepherds, visitors from the East), the menace of death for the child meant a flight to Egypt, a foreign land full with memories of slavery. And amid such a noisy tumult, we may find Mary’s silent reflection on all those things, which must be kept in the memory with a deep sense of confidence and calm. God’s plans, difficult to understand as they may be, are designs of blessing for those who trust in him.
Meditatio
Amid all the din and confusion of the New Year, let’s approach our meditatio today in the same spirit of Mary: in silence and peaceful reflection. Compare the Holy Family’s meandering, rough and troubled way with the year you are leaving behind right now. Do you really think you have any serious reason to complain? Can’t you find something about which to feel thankful, or a faint sign of hope for your future?
Oratio
Whether we look back to 2011 or forward to 2012, there are many people and circumstances to pray for. First, for those who have suffered during this past year - that their sad memories do not let them fall into despair, nor that they forget the good things they have enjoyed, scarce as they may be. Second, for those whose decisions shape the destiny and fate of the people –politicians, economists, those responsible for justice, peace and welfare of the world - that they constantly keep in mind the welfare of humankind and endeavor to attain it. For ourselves, that through our fidelity to God, we may contribute to the creation of a new world according to God’s plans.
Contemplatio
Most of us, at the beginning of the New Year, make some special promise: “I will quit smoking, take to practicing some sport, start studying French…” In most cases, let’s be sincere, we make these promises to no avail! This year, let’s try something simpler: every night, before going to bed, find an event, speck of joy, sign of blessing, unimportant as it may seem, for which to thank God. Do not wait until the end of the year!
Reflections written by Rev. Fr. Mariano Perrón Director of Inter-Religious Affairs Archdiocese of Madrid, Spain
© 2010 American Bible Society. All Rights Reserved. 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023-7505
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