Feast of Mary Mother of God
January 1, 2026
Luke 2: 16-21
On this feast of Mary, Mother of God, we are invited yet again, to reflect on the story of the shepherds, as they came to visit a very new mother and her new born child. The previous nine months, would not have been easy for Mary as she adjusted to the earth shattering situation in which she found herself. She could hardly have fully understood what she was being asked to do, but ‘overshadowed by the Spirit’ she believed
“Let what you have said be done to me.”
This, surely, is how the shepherds also responded, to the message of the angels — not fully understanding, yet knowing they had to act.
“The shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger”.
Whatever their apprehension, all doubt disappeared as the shepherds came into the stable, and met the radiant joy of Mary and Joseph with their new born child. In that moment they knew something momentous had happened. They knew a reality too profound for words. Words have limits, realities don’t!! As I kneel with the shepherds before the Christ Child I hear again those words,
“If you only knew what God is offering you……”
and I pray that I may accept my own unique gift, my ‘ever new reality,’ beyond words, beyond understanding, shrouded in the thin veil of mystery.
The shepherds’ experience changed them for life, as it will me too They left the stable as very different people. They left with a burning desire to spread the good news. They were, indeed, the first evangelists.
“And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.”
“And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”
And in the midst of all this
“Mary treasured up all these things pondering them in her heart.
As we move toward the closure of this ‘Year of Hope’ and turn towards the New Year, with Mary, let us ‘treasure’ and let us ‘ponder.’
Sadly, our world increasingly does not seem to learn the lessons.
Wars, violence of every kind, injustice, starvation and ethnic cleansing, all still invade our world and distort God’s beautiful creation.
Jan 1 is perhaps a good day to reflect on ‘hope for the future.’ It’s a day to remember that I am called to help create this better world.
Like Mary, I too am called to be a ‘Christ bearer,’ I too, am called to give Christ to a waiting world.
New Year’s Day
Jesus was circumcised and given the name ‘Jesus.’
Today, perhaps, I could reflect on the significance of my own name.
“I have called you by your name you are mine.”
As I hear the Lord call me by name, am I ready to move into an unknown future? I may not always understand what life offers me, but do I believe that the Lord is always there with me?
“Behold, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.”
Luke 2: 16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
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.
The Gospel of the Lord
Meet Sister Tess Rynn, SNDdeN
