HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD, YEAR A, BY REV FR EKESHIRI JUDE EMEKA CSSP.
THEME: MARY, A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY AND FAITHFULNESS (Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 66:2-3,5,6,8, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:16-21).
Beloved, today is a day of great joy as we mark the end of the year and the beginning of a new year. Many of us have had numerous wishes for the year and hoped that those wishes have been achieved in the course of the year. Today also, the Church celebrates the solemnity of Mary the Mother of God.
This is a huge title, because it goes beyond any logical explanation. One would be wondering that, how can a God, who was not created by anyone, but came to exist by Himself, have a mother or be born by a woman. Is it really possible? But the Church gave us a simple explanation, that, Jesus Christ, who is both God and man, took flesh from the virgin Mary, who is now the mother of God. We may not need to argue this truth but Jesus who is God was born by a woman and for that reason, the woman who is Mary became the mother of God.
The birth of Jesus was a blessing to the world, the salvation of humanity. In this mystery of the Incarnation, God chose to enter human history through the humble cooperation of Mary, His mother. Because Jesus is truly God and truly man, Mary is rightly called the Mother of God, Theotokos (carrier of God). This title was officially affirmed by the Council of Ephesus in the year 431 AD, to protect the truth of Jesus’ divine and human natures.
In the first reading, Moses pronounced series of blessings to Aaron and to the people of Israel, he says, “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace”(Numbers 6:22-27). As believers, we say amen to the blessings of God given to us through Moses, as we begin a new year.
Thus, in the gospel, we continue to read about the visit of the child Jesus, Mary and Joseph by the three shepherds. One thing is very outstanding here, which is, after Mary have been told about what will happen to the child Jesus, she did not panic, but treasured everything in her heart, with love and patience (Luke 2:16-21). Let us like Mary, not be troubled by the problems of this world, but offer them to God, with faith that God knows and sees everything. Mary is a perfect example of humility and faithfulness.
Nevertheless, this solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, reminds us not only of Mary’s role in salvation history but also of who, Jesus truly is, the Son of God, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, made flesh in Mary’s womb.
Mary’s “yes” to God at the Annunciation was a moment that changed the course of history. Her fidelity and obedience enabled the eternal Word to take flesh. It is a beautiful testament to how God often works through our “yes” through our openness and trust to bring about the salvation of the world.
As we begin a new year, this solemnity invites us to reflect on how God desires to be present in our daily lives. Just as the Word became flesh and lived among us, God wants to dwell in our hearts, in the very fabric of our existence. Mary’s motherhood invites us into that mystery, challenging us to openness, humility, and ongoing conversion.
Mary also models perfect discipleship. She treasured all these things in her heart and pondered them (Lk 2:19). In the year ahead, may we imitate Mary by pondering God’s word, accepting His will with trust, and allowing Christ to be born anew in our hearts.
Let us ask Mary, the Mother of God, to intercede for us, that we may grow in faith and become more faithful witnesses of God’s love in the world. May her maternal care guide us closer to her Son, Jesus, Emmanuel God with us.
As Mary’s adopted children in Christ, we celebrate her today even as she assures us and our families of her motherly intercession throughout the year. As her children, we must allow the virtues that she possesses, inspire our lives, words and actions, throughout this year. Through her intercession, may Moses’ blessing be our special gift for the New Year. And so, may the Lord, indeed, bless us and keep us. May the Lord let his face shine on us and be gracious to us. Peace be with you.
