Mass Readings and Meditations “The Word Among Us” Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Mass Readings and Meditations “The Word Among Us” Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Meditation: Luke 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, 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.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Jesus Is Named

21 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 Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord & Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Mary kept all these things … in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

Here’s the thing about new inventions. They all begin as ideas, but they become reality only when someone says yes and begins working on them. Through trial and error, dedication, and faith, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, and Lawrence Roberts developed the Internet.

Each of these inventions helped us make a huge leap forward in our ability to communicate, but they all pale in comparison to the yes that a young woman in Nazareth said to an angel two thousand years ago. That one simple response changed the lines of communication for all people forever!

Mary probably didn’t know at the time how deeply her response would impact the communication between heaven and earth. Still, she committed her heart and soul to the possibilities that the angel laid before her. Because of her faith and courage, Jesus, the image of the invisible God, became man.

Freed from the stain of original sin, Mary is the one person who has enjoyed clear, perfect communication with God. No sin obscured her imagination. No darkness clouded her memory. No bitterness poisoned her prayer. When she was invited to help make this blessing a reality for all people, she accepted. She embraced the risks and the work and the loss that were sure to come. And she did it so that we could all hear God, know his love in our hearts, and one day be united with him forever.

Because of Mary’s response, you now have a direct line to the Lord. His grace is available in a way it never was before. His words can instruct you, his wisdom can guide you, and his mercy can cleanse you. All because Mary embraced the idea of redemption, said yes to it, and committed her life to it.

“Mary, thank you for your love and your commitment. Never stop praying for us!” Amen!

Numbers 6: The Priestly Benediction

22 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,

24 The LORD bless you and keep you;

25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

27 So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

Psalm 67: 2 that your way may be known upon earth,

    your saving power among all nations.

3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;

    let all the peoples praise you.

5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;

    let all the peoples praise you.

6 The earth has yielded its increase;

    God, our God, has blessed us.

8 May God bless us still;

that the ends of the earth may revere him.

 Galatians 4: 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our[a] hearts, crying, “Abba![b] Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.[c]

Footnotes:

a. Galatians 4:6 Other ancient authorities read your

b. Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father

c. Galatians 4:7 Other ancient authorities read an heir of God through Christ

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