Dear John,

Today, on the first day of the new year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.

Just imagine the emotions that Mary felt as she held Our Lord in her arms for the first time – and then as He grew, how it felt for Him to wrap His little finger around her own. She cared for Him and loved Him. She made sure that He was fed and safe.

She was His mother – and is His mother – which is why we celebrate her on this day as Mary, the Mother of God.

What many people forget, however, is that she is our mother as well (cf. Revelation 12:17). Jesus has shared everything with us. He has given us our lives, our families, the Eucharist, the opportunity to live in glory with Him – and He has given us His own mother.

As our mother, Mary wants to intercede for us, just as she helped the young couple during the Wedding Feast at Cana. Mary wants to help us the way that she helped Elizabeth through her third trimester of pregnancy. Mary wants to help us as any good mother helps her children. If we ask for her intercession, she will reach out to us with the overwhelming love and care of a mother.

Here are today’s Mass readings:

First reading: Numbers 6:22-27

Psalm: 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

Second reading: Galatians 4:4-7

Gospel: St. Luke 2:16-21

I hope that you have a happy, holy, and joy-filled New Year, and I pray that all of us will respond wholeheartedly as Mary points us to her Beloved Son.

In Christ,

Father Joseph

P.S. If you are inspired by this message, please forward it on to your loved ones.