SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD –
Episode 456 - (Years: A-B-C)
The First of January 2024.
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD –(1/1/24)
First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm: Ps 66:2-3. 5. 6. 8. "May God bless us in his mercy."
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
Gospel Acclamation: Hebrews 1:1-2. Alleluia, alleluia! In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; now he speaks to us through his Son. Alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
Image Credit: ID: Virgin Mary of Jerusalem. - Icon, in gold and silver. From Bethlehem.
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the readings, prayers, and reflections for the Mary Mother of God. Year A - January 1, 2024, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/fhl-first-of-january-solemnity-of-mary-the-holy-mother-of-god-abc-2024/s-RVC0unVu9NC
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HOMILY – FR PAUL KELLY 2024.
May this brand-new year be filled with blessings and many graces. We give thanks today to our Lord for so many gifts we received each and every day. the gift of life, the gift of family, friends, parishioners, our community. We have so much to thank and praise our Lord for as we begin a new year of opportunities.
We dedicate this new year to the Lord …. So this is, truly, in every sense of the word: The year of the Lord 2024. May our thoughts, words and effort all be directed to the Lord's vision for the world and the Kingdom of God.
At the very start of a new calendar year, we say to the
Lord, "all things we have done pleasing to you, we offer to you in love and gratitude."
any time we have acted contrary to your will. We are truly sorry and ask your mercy and pardon. May we redirect our efforts, in your gracious guidance, to build up your Kingdom of love and mercy and justice and care.
This new year Oh lord, we accept from you as pure gift… We desire not to waste this precious time nor take it for granted but to savour it and make use of the t for all that you desire- loving God. and we offer you our work and our efforts …. recognising this to be a time filled with opportunities - to praise you and love you, and show our love by how we treat one another - especially those most in need.
Mary is a perfect example of discipleship and a superb model of faith, joy, humility, attentiveness, a love of justice, a concern for the poor and complete trust in God.
What a perfect Lady ask for her intercessions to her beloved son, and Our Lord, Jesus, as we begin this new year.
I think of two things particularly that strike me from the readings today…
one is the reference - which is mentioned a few key times in the gospel of luke …. Our Lady treasured these things in her heart…. she pondered these things …. may we treasure everything that happens to us.
Our Lady pondered and treasured everything -
when something wonderful happened she treasured it in her heart
when something confusing and upsetting happened she pondered it in her heart
when something unexpected or sad occurred she stored it in her heart.
In everything, meditating on God's word and reflecting on the mystery of God's faithful plan for the world.
It is an invitation to really meditate and reflect with love and faith upon all of the events that happen to us. Sometimes we don't get clarity or an answer to confusing or upsetting things, but we ponder and meditate on these things and keep trusting in God's love and faithfulness to us - even when things are not clear
secondly - how much better would all our interactions be if we deepened this question in the situations we find ourselves in over the coming year…. "what would The Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Mother and the Mother of God do if she was here in this situation." How would the Blessed Virgin Mary respond? What would she say? What would she refrain from saying? How would she show practical and heartfelt love for others in this and any situation - Particularly in those times of confusion and hurt or when there is a temptation to speak or act in ways that are not edifying for the kingdom? what would our blessed mother do? How would she speak lovingly, honestly, constructively, and wisely in difficult situations?
The saints and esteemed teachers within the Church throughout history have reflected upon the importance of Mary. …….
· "O sinner, be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary in all your necessities. Call her to your assistance, for such is the divine Will that she should help in every kind of necessity." - Saint Basil the Great
· "If you invoke the Blessed Virgin when you are tempted, she will come at once to your help, and Satan will leave you." - Saint John Vianney
· "If you ever feel distressed during your day, call upon our Lady, just say this simple prayer: 'Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.' I must admit, this prayer has never failed me." – Saint Teresa or Kolkata
· "Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with perfect confidence." - Saint Francis de Sales
· "Even while living in the world, the heart of Mary was so filled with motherly tenderness and compassion for men that no one ever suffered so much for their own pains, as Mary suffered for the pains of her children." - Saint Jerome
· "Just as seafarers are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary." - Saint Thomas Aquinas
· "Her [Mary's] example of faithful perseverance in doing the will of God and her heavenly reward are a source of courage and hope for all of us."
- Pope Benedict XVI
· "Mary was the first person to take the 'way' to enter the Kingdom of God that Christ opened, a way which is accessible to the humble, to all who trust in the word of God and endeavour to put it into practice."
- Pope Benedict XVI
· "Let us entrust to her intercession the daily prayer for peace, especially in places where the senseless logic of violence is most ferocious, so that all people may be convinced that in this world we must help each other, as brothers and sisters, to build the civilization of love."
- Pope Benedict XVI
· "The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."
- Saint Louis Marie de Montfort.
· "In trial or difficulty, I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear."
- Saint Therese of Lisieux
The world over these last few years has been suffering from terrible violence, war, and injustice… as well as tragic disasters… natural as well as human-made…. And we ask the Blessed Mother of God to pray to her son on our behalf for the gift of Peace in the world and the hearts and minds and decisions of people everywhere…
Have a blessed and grace-filled year…..
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Mary, Mother of God… Pray for us.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Quotes: https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/quote-archive1/mother-mary-quotes#:~:text=%22O%20sinner%2C%20be%20not%20discouraged,in%20every%20kind%20of%20necessity.%22&text=%22If%20you%20invoke%20the%20blessed,and%20Satan%20will%20leave%20you.%22
Image Credit: Virgin Mary of Jerusalem. - Icon, in gold and silver. From Bethlehem.
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!
{{God's kindness, peace and grace to everyone!}}
On this special Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God,, trusting in God's timeless faithfulness, mercy, and love, let us first call to mind our sins.
· Lord Jesus, your beloved Mother is thereby the Mother of God. Lord have mercy
· Your beloved mother is the Help of Christians. Christ have mercy,
· Your beloved Mother is the Queen of Heaven. Lord have mercy
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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PREFACE: Blessed Virgin MARY I
Euch. Prayer: 2
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{Thanks, everyone, and THROUGH God's grace and mercy, and the faithful intercession of Mary, the holy mother of God, may this be for you all a blessed, healthy and grace-filled year of the Lord 2024.}
The Lord be with you…
(Let us bow our heads to receive God's blessing)
May God, the source and origin of all blessings,
grant you grace,
pour out his blessing in abundance,
and keep you safe from harm throughout the year. Amen.
May he give you integrity in the faith,
endurance in hope,
and perseverance in charity
with holy patience to the end. Amen.
May he order your days and your deeds in his peace,
Grant your prayers in this and in every place,
and lead you happily to eternal life.
Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son,+ and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you forever.
Amen.
Dismissal:
Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
to contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - "Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria. Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
Christmas Hymn - "Word Made Flesh" by Paul W. Kelly. Based upon: John's Gospel 1:14, 1 John 4:9, & Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7.
(Written on 8/5/20; 10/9/20). Arranged and sung by Stefan Kelk, with adjusted lyrics. 2020. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk
Marian Hymn - "Salve Regina Mater Misericordiae." (Traditional 11th Century). Melody: Mainz (1712), Hymn #783 - Brébeuf Hymnal. From https://www.ccwatershed.org/hymn/
Marian Hymn – "Quem Terra, Pontus, Aethera." ("Whom Earth and Sea and Sky Proclaim"). Traditional 6th Century Hymn. Melody: Bartholomaus Gesius (d.1613). #376 - Brébeuf Hymnal. From https://www.ccwatershed.org/hymn/
[Production - KER - 2024]
May God bless and keep you.
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First Reading
Numbers 6:22-27 (NRSV)
A reading from the book of Numbers.
The Lord spoke to Moses:
"Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying,
'Thus you shall bless the Israelites:
You shall say to them,
"'The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.'
"So they shall put my name on the Israelites,
and I will bless them."
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 66:2-3, 5, 6, 8 (JB)
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn your saving help. R.
Let the nations be glad and exult
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples.
you guide the nations on earth. R.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
May God still give us his blessing
till the ends of the earth revere him. R.
Second Reading
Galatians 4:4-7 (NRSV)
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians.
When the fullness of time had come,
God sent his Son, born of a woman,
born under the law,
in order to redeem those who were under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as children.
And because you are children,
God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying,
"Abba! Father!"
So you are no longer a slave but a child,
and if a child then also an heir, through God.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Hebrews 1:1-2 (JB)
Alleluia, alleluia!
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
now he speaks to us through his Son.
Alleluia!
Gospel
Luke 2:16-21 (NRSV)
A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke.
When the angels had left them
the shepherds said to one another,
"Let us go now to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us."
So they went with haste
and found Mary and Joseph,
and the child lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known what had been told them about this child;
and all who heard it were amazed
at what the shepherds told them.
But, Mary treasured all these words
and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
as it had been told them.
After eight days had passed,
it was time to circumcise the child;
and he was called Jesus,
the name given by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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