Mary the Channel of God’s blessings: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Sermon by Emmanuel Suntheni OSB – Mary, Mother Of God
Sermon and Christian Act in The Word
Theme: “Mary the Channel of God’s blessings and Peace! “2023 be a year of grace and peace!”
Point of Reflection: Every Sunday after Christmas day is the Holy Family Sunday and today it falls on the first of January which is the solemnity of our Mother Mary the mother of God. Mary becomes the channel of God’s greatest blessing when she willingly offers her life and body to bring Jesus into the world. She became not only the mother of God, but also the Mother of Peace. Christians, the descendants of the first parents and spiritual children of Mary, themselves become the channels of blessing when they live in God’s presence, continually praying with the Psalmist, “may God be gracious to us and bless us, and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.”
First Reading: Numbers 6:22–27
Psalm: Psalm 67:2–8
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4–7
Gospel: Luke 2:16–21
Sermon (Reflection): what will I be in 2023? Will I be a blessing to others? Will I be a peacemaker or a troublemaker? What can I do to be a channel of peace?The Liturgy with which believers begin the New Year focuses on God’s greatest blessing. The first parents were given the blessing and command to fill the world with life. Thus, they were entrusted with the mission of channelling God’s fundamental blessing that is life itself, to this world. Paul taught that the Holy Spirit allows “God’s face to shine upon us”, as in Aaron’s blessing. Here, the Holy Spirit is presented as the channel that brings God’s presence into the midst of the community of believers. Jesus, the bringer of peace, fulfils another part of Aaron’s blessing “may the Lord give you peace”.
From the first reading, when Aaron is given the command to bless the Israelites, the Lord God instructs him on the two essential aspects of blessing, namely that God be visible and gracious to the Israelites, and that God would give them peace. Both of these, God’s presence and peace, are essential elements of a good life. To be blessed, in the biblical sense, means living a secure and prosperous life in God’s presence. How can such blessing be attained? The second and third readings provide the answer. God’s blessing comes to humanity in the fullest way through Jesus’ presence and the work of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, let us open our hearts in the year 2023 to receive blessings.
In the second reading, Paul explains that God sent his Son into the world for the sake of “adoption.” Adoption means that believers become God’s children; God becomes the Father whom believers can call “Abba”. This intimate relationship is established by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Being guided by the Spirit means living in God’s presence. Here, Paul alludes to the blessing of Aaron; when we live by the Spirit, the face of God shines upon us. The blessing that comes upon such a life means freedom from all that enslaves a human being; it means freedom to be God’s children, not governed or possessed by anything or anybody else but God. This is true peace.
The Gospel narrates events surrounding Jesus’ birth. Luke presents the meeting between the shepherds and Jesus’ parents, with a focus on Mary. When angels first appeared to the shepherds with the announcement of the Saviour’s birth they declared, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!” (Cf. Luke 2:14). They recognised that coming into the world, God’s Son comes with a very real gift, the gift of peace. Jesus is the bringer of peace which cannot be understood merely as an absence of war. Rather, it is the fullest expression of God’s blessing working in the midst of humanity, which will be reconciled to God through his Son. Jesus brings harmony between God and humanity which the first parents lost when they committed the first sin.
With the birth of Jesus Christ, am I bringing peace and blessings to others? As Christians, we need to bring blessings and peace to others not a curse to others.
Mary was instrumental in bringing Jesus into the world. Hearing the shepherds’ proclamation, she reflects on what Jesus is to accomplish, and will support him in the mission of bringing peace into the world. Even though his life will not be without suffering, ultimately he will restore peace between God and humanity by shedding his blood on the cross (Cf. Colossians 1:20). In the person of Jesus, blessing and peace become one because together they describe harmony between God and humanity, and within humanity itself. Rightfully, when the Church celebrates Mary the Mother of God, then we celebrate the mother of the bringer of peace, and we also celebrate the World Day of Peace.
Christian Act in the Word of God “I must be a blessing to others and a peaceful person in the year 2023”
A New Year, a new chapter in life, begins with the Church’s celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God. This is a deliberate choice because the Church celebrates the life of a person chosen as a channel through which God bestowed upon the world his greatest blessing, thus, his Son and Saviour.
We know from personal experience that when our relationships with our families, friends and communities are harmonious we experience peace and joy.
At the social level when there is justice, equal distribution of resources, freedom, care for the environment and good governance there is peace. Peace, therefore, is not just the absence of war or conflict but the presence of everything that promotes the flourishing of life. If we want a peaceful nation, let us pray for our civil leaders who are in charge of our distributing equally the resources. Why is there so much hatred in the world? Why kill each other? Even killing oneself? Why some people are sleeping on empty stomachs? Why the prices of basic needs are increasing each and every week? This is the result of poor governance among civil leaders, our leaders need prayers. If they are no basic needs in our societies then forget about peace. Let us pray for good governance in our country.
When there is conflict in our relationships at both personal and social levels, restoring peace is very difficult. In many cases it takes an outside person who is committed to peace, impartial and desires the best for all concerned, to be a mediator or a channel of peace. The mediator is often able to help the parties concerned to see the source of the conflict so that they can confront it and restore peace and harmony.
Christmas teaches us about loving God who loves humanity and identifies the conflict between human beings as primarily rooted in their broken relationships with God and each other. Two mediators become part of God’s loving intervention, namely the Virgin Mary who offers her life to be the mother of Jesus, and Jesus himself who comes as the incarnation of God: that is God with us. Sacrifice and love characterise both the lives of the Virgin Mary and of Jesus, who become the channels of God’s peace to humanity. Through their sacrifice, a way has been opened for us to heal our broken relationship with God. This is the first step to healing our broken relationships with ourselves, and others in our homes, workplaces, neighbourhoods, communities, countries and in the world.
As we experience the healing power of restored relationships and peace, we become channels of peace to the world following the path of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. WISHING YOU A GRACE-FILLED AND PROSPEROUS 2023; MAY MOTHER MARY; THE MOTHER OF GOD; THE QUEEN OF PEACE; PRAY FOR US ALL.
Action: In the year 2023 I will be a blessing to others and a peaceful person.
Prayer: Dear Almighty Father, we thank you for the gift of the new year 2023, we thank you for all the blessings you bestowed on us in 2022, May mother Mary the mother of God and the queen of peace pray for peace in our hearts and in our countries. May the year 2023 be a year grace in our life, For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name, Amen.
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