HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

READINGS:

1st: Numbers 6:22-27

2nd: Galatians 4:4-7

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

THEME: MARY, MOTHER OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Today, we have numerous reasons to celebrate. It is the first day, in the first week, in the first month of a New Year (2023). Today, we also celebrate ‘World Day of Peace’ as was declared by Pope Paul VI in 1968, to be celebrated annually on the first day of the year. Today is also eight days since Christmas and as such the end of the ‘Christmas Octave’. The Circumcision of Jesus took place on the eighth day of his birth. Initially, ‘the Circumcision of Jesus’ was celebrated on the first day of every year, until Pope Paul VI replaced it with the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God – this is the chief of all the celebrations of today.

*MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD*

It is an undeniable historical fact that Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ. The Church teaches that Christ is the Second Person in the Most Holy Trinity – and as such, He is God. Since Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, who is God, it follows that Mary is the ‘Mother of God’. The title of Mary ‘Mother of God’ was used by the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD – THEOTOKOS – ‘God bearer’. This term was used to preserve the teaching of the Church that Jesus is both Divine and Human, that the two natures are united in His One Person. In the early times of the Church, there were doctrinal divisions in the Church on the nature of Jesus Christ. It was difficult for some to accept Jesus Christ as truly God – he is seen just as a created man. This argument implies that Mary is merely mother of the historical Jesus of Nazareth and not the mother of God.

The dogma of Mary as the ‘Mother of God’ may be difficult to comprehend. How can a mere woman (mortal) be the Mother of God? How can Mary be the mother of her creator? Yes! It seems impossible but, it is a fact. This same difficulty in comprehension is also experienced in the ‘Incarnation of Christ’ – God assuming human nature.

By Mary’s ‘YES’ to the will of God, we who believe in the Incarnate Son have received adoption as children and can call God, our Father. Since we are children, we are no longer slaves under the law, rather we now live in the freedom of the children of God (Gal. 4:6-7, Rom. 8:15-17). This is explained in the Second Reading. Mary is also our mother. “Because she gives us Jesus, her son, Mary is Mother of God and our mother; we can entrust all our cares and petitions to her: she prays for us as she prays for herself” (CCC 2677). We learn from Mary to constantly abandon ourselves to the will of God.

*NEW YEAR: 2023*

“2023 might end up being another 2022 for you, if you don’t do anything different. Make decisions now” (Rev. Fr. Stephen Idika).

It is a New Year. Each New Year gives us new hope to forge ahead. It gives us opportunities of exploring new aspects of our life and to make new resolutions. Many people are no longer fascinated by the New Year or bothered to make New Year resolutions. Some are tired of making new resolutions due to inability to fulfil previous ones. For some, nothing is new; it makes no difference from other moments. This might be true to some extent. Yet, it is important that we make plans for the Year.

It is not out of place to make declarations for a Year. Have a theme to guide you for the Year. Present the Year and the theme to God. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:13). Let us not get tired of beginning again. Let us not shy away from making another plan or resolution for the New Year. No matter what has been happening to our past resolutions, we must not lose hope of a better tomorrow.

*WORLD DAY OF PEACE*

Christ the new born king comes with peace – He is the Prince of Peace. By bringing forth the Prince of Peace to the world, Mary knew and experienced the Peace which is her Son’s gift to those who believe in Him and the fruit of a life lived in obedience to God. Today, we are pray for peace in troubled countries. As we begin this Year of General Election in Nigeria, we solicit for the reign of Peace. Let us go and collect our PVCs and be ready to Vote wisely.

Beloved in Christ, as we begin the New Year with the Blessed Virgin Mary, we are guaranteed of the constant presence of Christ her son. Because, wherever you see Mary, you will see Jesus. Let us not give up on God or make mockery of those who present their intentions of the Year to the Lord.

May God help us!!!

Happy New Year!!!

We Pray for the Happy Repose of Pope Benedict XVI

Fr. Donatus Okeke