This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, January 1st is from 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.”
“On this first day of a new year, we look forward to new beginnings. The shepherds are Jesus’ first evangelizers, proclaiming the ‘good news of great joy’ given them by the angels. Ironically, the first people they tell are Mary and Joseph themselves, who already know the good news from the angel’s visits. But now they realize that this good news is already spreading and bringing great joy to those who hear it. Luke says that Mary reflected on the shepherds’ visit and their message. Reflection is a habit we seem to have lost in today’s world. How often do we take the time to power down our electronics and spend some time in prayerful reflection? Sounds like a good resolution for 2023!” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2022-2023
SOLEMNITY OF MARY JANUARY 1
“The feast is a celebration of Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. The title “Mother of God” is a western derivation from the Greek Theotokos, which means “God-bearer”. On this day, we are reminded of the role that the Blessed Virgin played in the plan of our salvation. Through the Holy Spirit, God the Father prepared Mary to be the dwelling place where His Son and His Spirit could dwell among men. Christ’s birth was made possible by Mary’s fiat, or sanctioning of God’s plan with her words, “Be it done to me according to thy word”. Calling Mary “Mother of God” is the highest honor we can give to her. Just as Christmas honors Jesus as the “Prince of Peace”, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God honors Mary as the “Queen of Peace”. New Year’s Day is also designated as the “World Day of Peace”, further acknowledging the role of Mary in our hearts and in our world.” SOURCE: www.holyfamily.org
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday 1 John 2:22-28; John 1:19-28
Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church (Memorial) – “Born in Asia Minor, these men are two of the four great doctors of the Eastern Church…because of their preaching, teaching, and defense of the faith against the Arians.”
Tuesday 1 John 2:29—3:6; John 1:29-34
Wednesday 1 John 3:7-10; John 1:35-42
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious (Memorial) – “Born in New York, Elizabeth Bayley married and had five children. After her husband died, she became a Catholic and founded a girls’ school in Baltimore. She founded the Sisters of Charity, the first community of active women religious begun in America, adopting a modified rule of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.”
Thursday 1 John 3:11-21; John 1:43-51
Saint John Neumann, Bishop (Memorial) – “Born in Bohemia, John Neumann emigrated as a missionary to America. He was consecrated bishop of Philadelphia. Devoted to spreading God’s word by preaching and building churches, he was a strong advocate of Catholic education.”
Friday 1 John 5:5-13; Mark 1:7-11
Saturday 1 John 5:14-21; John 2:1-11
SOURCE: Living With Christ, January 2023