1 Jan – Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is celebrated on Jan 1, the Octave Day of Christmas (i.e. 8th day after Christmas). It is a celebration of Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. The title ‘Mother of God’ is a western derivation from the Greek term ‘theotokos’, the God-bearer.
The term ‘theotokos’ was adopted at the Council of Ephesus as a way to assert the divinity of Christ, from which it follows that what is declared of Christ is declared of God. So, if Mary is the mother of Jesus, she is the Mother of God. Therefore, the title ‘Mother of God’ and the ‘Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God’, which celebrates her under this title, are at once Mariological and Christological.
- Wikipedia
Nm 6:22-27
Gal 4:4-7
Lk 2:16-21
As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The role of Mary in the Catholic faith has been a most important and controversial one at the same time. By now, I’m sure some of us are really tired of having to explain and clear any misunderstandings about Mary to our Protestant brothers and sisters. I am sure they are not happy that we are calling her mother of God.
If you think about it, God had specially chosen this young woman called Mary, to be the woman who would bear his son; so surely, she has got to be ultra special. For this, He made sure that she was born immaculate, in order to carry this special role as mother of God, since Jesus is also purely divine.
In the bible, there’s really not much said about Mary. We hardly hear her speak much either, other than the rare couple of occasions. But it’s what that is not said that’s even more notable. In the Nativity scene in today’s gospel, we are told that three shepherds came to visit and said some stuff to Mary about her baby. All that is said about Mary is that ‘she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.’ Ponder is something that we should learn from Mary, for she often pondered. When I looked up the meaning proper, it is said to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion, and it is for a noticeable length of time.
Honestly, most of us are not in the habit of pondering, especially not in this current climate of constant movements and where everything needs to be instant. The concept of ‘good things come to those who wait’ no longer applies. Many of us are restless in spirit. I for one, am one who is very impatient. But thanks to Jesus, I am now constantly in the habit of checking myself or reflecting. I suppose ‘reflecting’ is in the same family as ‘pondering’. Why is Mary’s pondering a lesson? She doesn’t react, she responds appropriately even when she doesn’t understand. She takes the things that are said to her heart, perhaps seeking God for understanding and wisdom. The next occasion when she probably had to ponder hard is during the presentation of Jesus to the Lord, when Simeon said to her that “a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2: 35) I am sure she had no clue what he was talking about. Regardless of how troubling it was, she didn’t question him what he meant. If it was me, I would be asking and asking until I got some answer. I have to learn to hold back more, so that I can let God increase, and I decrease.
The same with things that happen in our lives. There are often many things we don’t understand. Just keep talking to Jesus and he will slowly unveil what needs to be understood.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Cynthia Chew)
Prayer: Dear Abba, you have specially chosen Mary to be the mother of God, and to be our spiritual mother. May we learn to be more like Mary — gentle, virtuous, steadfast in faith and never questioning, only pondering. Help us have a heart after Mary’s.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Jesus, for hearing all our prayers, especially the petitions through Mary. We trust that you will show us the way when we are lost, feel your love when we are hurt, and find peace again when we are upset or frustrated.
OXYGEN 
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