Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
I don’t recall exactly when we started blessing our children before bed each night, but I know it was when they were very young, maybe even infants. Making a sign of the cross on their forehead with our thumb or finger, praying for their protection and well-being. This comes to mind as I read the first reading and psalm for today’s Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the last day in the Octave of Christmas. “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” (Numbers 6:24-26) This also seems fitting for beginning our new calendar year today; the world could certainly benefit from a blessing for this new year, a fresh start.
And we are reminded today, that God has blessed us... with Mary who blessed the world with the fruit of her womb, Jesus. Mary, our mother and Mother of God, has blessed each one of us, whether we are aware of it or not. Blessed us by accepting the Word fully and completely. And birthing that Holy Word for all to know God in a way unlike ever before. Emmanuel, God with us.
God’s face has shone upon us through Mary; Mary, a reflection of God’s face in these dark times. I saw the full moon in the night sky early in the morning of this writing, and thought of Mary. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun in the dark of night, so too Mary reflects God’s light to the world as the Mother of Jesus. We are truly blessed, whether we are aware of it or not.
It is my hope that one day, perhaps when I am near the end of my life, my children will bless me, make the sign of the cross on my forehead, as I have blessed them many times before. And so, today, I wonder how I might bless Mary, my mother and our mother, as she continues to bless us in reflecting God’s face, God’s light. How might our lives this year bless Mary, birthing the light of Christ in return?
~Eileen Miller