Daily Readings for January 1, 2017

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

1ST READING

 

 

This passage is about the hope that comes with faith in and commitment to God. The promises of God are at the heart of the Jewish faith as shown in the Old Testament. One of these promises focuses on how God blesses His people. This gives us reason to trust in His promise of goodness and blessing. However, we need to remember that the primary blessing we receive from God is our salvation – something that is fulfilled only after our earthly pilgrimage.

 

Numbers 6:22-27

22 The Lord said to Moses: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 The Lord bless you and keep you! 25 The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! 26 The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! 27 So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

 

P S A L M

 

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

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1 [2] May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. 2 [3] So may your way be known upon the earth; among all nations, your salvation. (R) 4 [5] May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (R) 5 [6] May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! 7 [8] May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (R)

 

2ND READING

 

As heirs of God, we receive all that God promises to His Son, as we are all children of the Father in and through Jesus. The idea of “sonship” – as we understand one of the relationships in the Holy Trinity – captures the closeness that is expressed in faith. God’s gift is salvation though His Son, Jesus.

 

Galatians 4:4-7

4 Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.

 

GOSPEL

 

Let us always reflect on God’s work in our life and His message for us. We strengthen the Holy Spirit’s work by surrendering our life to Him. This is possible only if we reflect on our relationship with Him and know Him in a personal way.

 

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

 

Luke 2:16-21

16 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 21 When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.