New Year’s ReadingsNew Year’s ReadingsCommentary and Reflections

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of GodSolemnity of Mary, Mother of GodJanuary 1, 2014January 1, 2014

In preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyIn preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyAs aid in focusing our homily / sharingAs aid in focusing our homily / sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

11stst reading: Numbers 6,22-27 reading: Numbers 6,22-27

22 The LORD said to Moses: 23 "Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites.

Say to them: 24 The LORD bless you and keep you! 25 The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! 26 The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

27 So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them."

11stst reading: Numbers 6,22-27 reading: Numbers 6,22-27 22 The LORD said to

Moses: 23 "Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites.

Say to them: 24 The LORD bless you and keep you! 25 The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! 26 The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

27 So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them."

CommentaryCommentary Supposedly, the Israelites are still Supposedly, the Israelites are still

at the foot of Mount Sinai. Soon at the foot of Mount Sinai. Soon they will be moving to the Promised they will be moving to the Promised Land. Moses is the leader of the Land. Moses is the leader of the Israelites, assigned by God to lead Israelites, assigned by God to lead them out of Egypt.them out of Egypt.

In vv.22-23, God instructs Moses to In vv.22-23, God instructs Moses to speak to Aaron and his sons speak to Aaron and his sons (priests). When they bless the (priests). When they bless the people, they should utter vv.24-26.people, they should utter vv.24-26.

In v.27, the Israelites are expected In v.27, the Israelites are expected to acknowledge God, pray to God to acknowledge God, pray to God (to invoke his name) and, in turn, (to invoke his name) and, in turn, God promises to bless them.God promises to bless them.

Reflections on the 1Reflections on the 1stst reading reading

When we encounter God’s priests, we are When we encounter God’s priests, we are supposed to receive their blessings.supposed to receive their blessings.

God’s priests are supposed to bless the people.God’s priests are supposed to bless the people. Blessing includes God keeping us safe, making Blessing includes God keeping us safe, making

his presence felt, bestowing his graces upon us, his presence felt, bestowing his graces upon us, showing his kindness to us and giving us peace.showing his kindness to us and giving us peace.

We should acknowledge God’s blessings.We should acknowledge God’s blessings. God will bless us again and again.God will bless us again and again. Let us wish well to one another.Let us wish well to one another.

Resp. Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8Resp. Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 R. (2a) R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.May God bless us in his mercy.

2 May God have pity on us and bless us;2 May God have pity on us and bless us;may he let his face shine upon us.may he let his face shine upon us.3 So may your way be known upon earth;3 So may your way be known upon earth;among all nations, your salvation.among all nations, your salvation.

5 May the nations be glad and exult5 May the nations be glad and exultbecause you rule the peoples in equity;because you rule the peoples in equity;the nations on the earth you guide.the nations on the earth you guide.

6 May the peoples praise you, O God;6 May the peoples praise you, O God;may all the peoples praise you!may all the peoples praise you!8 May God bless us,8 May God bless us,and may all the ends of the earth fear him!and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

Resp. Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8Resp. Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 R. (2a) R. (2a) May God bless us in his May God bless us in his

mercy.mercy.

2 May God have pity on us and 2 May God have pity on us and bless us;bless us;may he let his face shine upon us.may he let his face shine upon us.3 So may your way be known upon 3 So may your way be known upon earth;earth;among all nations, your salvation.among all nations, your salvation.

5 May the nations be glad and exult5 May the nations be glad and exultbecause you rule the peoples in because you rule the peoples in equity;equity;the nations on the earth you guide.the nations on the earth you guide.

6 May the peoples praise you, O 6 May the peoples praise you, O God;God;may all the peoples praise you!may all the peoples praise you!8 May God bless us,8 May God bless us,and may all the ends of the earth and may all the ends of the earth fear him!fear him!

CommentaryCommentary V.2 repeats the blessing in the first V.2 repeats the blessing in the first

reading.reading. In v.3, the psalmist is convinced In v.3, the psalmist is convinced

that if God blesses his people, his that if God blesses his people, his ways and salvation will be known ways and salvation will be known throughout the world.throughout the world.

In v.5, the psalmist desires that In v.5, the psalmist desires that nations be glad because of his nations be glad because of his justice and guidance.justice and guidance.

In v.6, the psalmist desires that In v.6, the psalmist desires that God be praised by all.God be praised by all.

In v.8, he desires God’s blessings.In v.8, he desires God’s blessings. In v.8b, the psalmist desires that all In v.8b, the psalmist desires that all

peoples fear (revere) him.peoples fear (revere) him.

Reflections on the PsalmReflections on the Psalm

Like the psalmist, we must wish other Like the psalmist, we must wish other people well. We do not curse them, or people well. We do not curse them, or wish evil to befall upon them.wish evil to befall upon them.

We must desire God’s blessings on them.We must desire God’s blessings on them. Our best wishes become our prayer.Our best wishes become our prayer. We experience God’s blessings when We experience God’s blessings when

justice is being done.justice is being done. Are you fond of blessing or cursing?Are you fond of blessing or cursing?

22ndnd reading: Galatians 4,4-7 reading: Galatians 4,4-7

4 When the fullness of time had come, 4 When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to ransom those under under the law, 5 to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. the law, so that we might receive adoption. 6 As proof that you are children, God sent 6 As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!“ 7 So you are no out, "Abba, Father!“ 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.then also an heir, through God.

22ndnd reading: Galatians 4,4-7 reading: Galatians 4,4-74 When the fullness of 4 When the fullness of time had come, God time had come, God sent his Son, born of a sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the woman, born under the law, 5 to ransom those law, 5 to ransom those under the law, so that under the law, so that we might receive we might receive adoption. 6 As proof adoption. 6 As proof that you are children, that you are children, God sent the spirit of God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, crying out, "Abba, Father!“ 7 So you are Father!“ 7 So you are no longer a slave but a no longer a slave but a child, and if a child child, and if a child then also an heir, then also an heir, through God.through God.

CommentaryCommentary Take note: the birth of Christ is not just Take note: the birth of Christ is not just

a simple birth of a baby boy that gives a simple birth of a baby boy that gives joy, but signals the fullness of time.joy, but signals the fullness of time.

Fullness of time is God’s time, God Fullness of time is God’s time, God taking hold of us through his Son.taking hold of us through his Son.

V.5 indicates the purpose of his birth: V.5 indicates the purpose of his birth: to ransom (to pay a high price, not just to ransom (to pay a high price, not just

to snatch us by stealth) us who are to snatch us by stealth) us who are slaves of the law (Mosaic law)slaves of the law (Mosaic law)

To adopt us as children of GodTo adopt us as children of God V.6 gives us evidence (proof) that we V.6 gives us evidence (proof) that we

are truly God’s adopted children.are truly God’s adopted children. We possess the spirit of his Son, We possess the spirit of his Son,

making us able to cry out, “Abba, making us able to cry out, “Abba, Father.”Father.”

We are no longer living with a certain We are no longer living with a certain distance from God, but close to him.distance from God, but close to him.

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd reading reading We, Catholics, attribute the woman mentioned in

Gal 4,4 to Mary, the mother of Jesus. We, Catholics, are Marian. We appreciate the role of the mother of Jesus.

We appreciate Mary’s motherhood. We must interpret Jesus’ birth as fullness of

time, the beginning of our adoption as children of God.

As God’s children, adopted through Christ, we must behave accordingly.

We must live in freedom, in the Spirit and spontaneity, not in legalism.

Gospel reading: Luke 2,16-21Gospel reading: Luke 2,16-21

16 The shepherds went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 21 When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Gospel reading: Luke 2,16-21Gospel reading: Luke 2,16-21Shepherds 16 The shepherds went in haste and found

Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.

Mary 19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on

them in her heart.

Shepherds 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and

praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Naming and Circumcision 21 When eight days were completed for his

circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Commentary In v.16, the shepherds hurry to see

the newborn savior as announced by the angel, when they were pasturing.

In v.17, they recount what the angel told them about the child.

V.18 tells of the joy of those who heard the story.

V.19 tells of Mary’s quiet disposition. For her, more important is not her experience of child bearing, but the identity of her Son.

V.20 tells of the shepherds’ joy for finding out everything as was told to them. They went back to work. They did not linger there.

V.21 describes the Jewish custom of circumcising and the naming of Jesus.

Reflections on the gospel readingReflections on the gospel reading

Like the shepherds, we must believe what Like the shepherds, we must believe what is announced and seek the joy of is announced and seek the joy of encountering our Savior encountering our Savior (in the sacraments).(in the sacraments).

Like Mary, we must ponder how God is Like Mary, we must ponder how God is intervening in our lives.intervening in our lives.

Like the Holy Family, we must keep God’s Like the Holy Family, we must keep God’s laws and our sound beliefs and culture.laws and our sound beliefs and culture.

We must be connected with our people We must be connected with our people and unique history.and unique history.

Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The first reading talks about The first reading talks about blessingblessing.. The psalm talks about uttering the The psalm talks about uttering the

blessingsblessings ourselves. ourselves. The second reading invites us to celebrate The second reading invites us to celebrate

God’s God’s blessingsblessings: being called his children: being called his children The gospel reading talks about rejoicing The gospel reading talks about rejoicing

over God’s over God’s blessingsblessings..

How to develop your homily / sharingHow to develop your homily / sharing

What is the meaning of New Year?What is the meaning of New Year? It is meaningful as long as we make it so.It is meaningful as long as we make it so. The world teaches us to explode fire The world teaches us to explode fire

crackers today.crackers today.

We, Christians, can make it meaningful We, Christians, can make it meaningful through the readings for this Solemnity.through the readings for this Solemnity.

The The first readingfirst reading suggests that in this New suggests that in this New Year, we utter blessings upon the people.Year, we utter blessings upon the people.

We wish other people well. Other cultures We wish other people well. Other cultures talk about good fortune.talk about good fortune.

We wish that God shows his mercy upon We wish that God shows his mercy upon them.them.

We wish that God gives his peace to them.We wish that God gives his peace to them.

We can make this New Year meaningful We can make this New Year meaningful by appropriating the by appropriating the psalmpsalm..

We make it our own prayer.We make it our own prayer. We bless God by our words now, in our We bless God by our words now, in our

liturgical celebrations.liturgical celebrations. We invite other people and creatures to We invite other people and creatures to

bless the Lord.bless the Lord.

The second reading contains strong reasons to bless God in this New Year.

God has made us his adopted children through his Son, Jesus.

His Son came to ransom us from the clouts of the enslaving law.

Now, we, as liberated people of God, have the right to call God “Our Father.”

The The gospel readinggospel reading suggests that we should suggests that we should bless (praise) God today for sending his Son to bless (praise) God today for sending his Son to save us.save us.

Like Joseph and Mary, we must keep our sound Like Joseph and Mary, we must keep our sound and sacred traditions and history.and sacred traditions and history.

We must be rooted in our faith.We must be rooted in our faith. When we were named Christians at our baptism When we were named Christians at our baptism

and “circumcised,” we were considered to and “circumcised,” we were considered to belong to God’s covenanted people.belong to God’s covenanted people.

For enlightened Christians, New Year should not For enlightened Christians, New Year should not be used as an excuse to buy and make noise.be used as an excuse to buy and make noise.

It is not an occasion to show off our fireworks It is not an occasion to show off our fireworks and to terrorize the faithful on their way to the and to terrorize the faithful on their way to the church and home.church and home.

Their abuses have moved midnight masses to Their abuses have moved midnight masses to earlier time. They have even discouraged earlier time. They have even discouraged churchgoers from participating in the Midnight churchgoers from participating in the Midnight mass.mass.

It is not also an excuse to drink a lot of liquor or It is not also an excuse to drink a lot of liquor or to abuse food.to abuse food.

For Christians who are in their right senses, this For Christians who are in their right senses, this New Year, they should instead go to the church.New Year, they should instead go to the church.

The parents should lead their children in uttering The parents should lead their children in uttering praises, blessings and thanksgiving to God, by praises, blessings and thanksgiving to God, by using our responsorial psalm and by singing the using our responsorial psalm and by singing the “Our Father.”“Our Father.”

We take this New Year as an occasion for deep We take this New Year as an occasion for deep spiritual experience of God.spiritual experience of God.

Let each home and every corner of our place be Let each home and every corner of our place be permeated with the odor of sanctity rather than permeated with the odor of sanctity rather than heavy smell and smoke of gunpowder and heavy smell and smoke of gunpowder and firecrackers or burning tires.firecrackers or burning tires.

Participation in the Participation in the eucharisteucharist is where we is where we can best bless God and receive his can best bless God and receive his blessings.blessings.

The The eucharisteucharist is a sacrament of God’s is a sacrament of God’s blessings to us.blessings to us.

The The eucharisteucharist promotes the presence of promotes the presence of God and his peace to us.God and his peace to us.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace Worldly celebration of Worldly celebration of

New Year (fireworks New Year (fireworks and much food only, and much food only, no Mass)no Mass)

No respect for sacred No respect for sacred traditionstraditions

No sense of historyNo sense of history No appreciation of No appreciation of

being ransomedbeing ransomed

Celebration of the Eucharist today

Appreciation of being God’s children

Solidarity with the poor

Blessing other people

Suggested SongsSuggested Songs

Ang Pasko ay SumapitAng Pasko ay Sumapit The Blessing of St. FrancisThe Blessing of St. Francis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Rn9GKWFl0