Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
1ST READING
This passage from the Book of Numbers reminds the Jewish people about complete trust in the Lord. We place our trust on many worldly things — people, systems, money and wealth, fame, and others. However, all these are temporary. Even the people we trust can no longer help us once we face death. Only God spans both this life and the next.
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 2
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R: May God bless us in his mercy.
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 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
God showed us His love by becoming one with us. He stands in solidarity with us through the Incarnation of Jesus. He sent His only Son to redeem us. Man’s redemption is the only reason Jesus became incarnate. Let us remember that He was like us in every way except sin. In His mercy, God forgives our sins and gives us the grace to overcome it.
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
The shepherds searched for the Child born to Mary. Why is it that Jesus is our last resort when we are desperate and in trouble? Why do we have little faith in Him? This New Year, let us resolve to put Jesus first in our lives. Like the shepherds, let us seek Him first in all things. Let us praise and thank Him for all the good He has given us.
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.
1ST READING
This passage from the Book of Numbers reminds the Jewish people about complete trust in the Lord. We place our trust on many worldly things — people, systems, money and wealth, fame, and others. However, all these are temporary. Even the people we trust can no longer help us once we face death. Only God spans both this life and the next.
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 2
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R: May God bless us in his mercy.
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 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
God showed us His love by becoming one with us. He stands in solidarity with us through the Incarnation of Jesus. He sent His only Son to redeem us. Man’s redemption is the only reason Jesus became incarnate. Let us remember that He was like us in every way except sin. In His mercy, God forgives our sins and gives us the grace to overcome it.
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
The shepherds searched for the Child born to Mary. Why is it that Jesus is our last resort when we are desperate and in trouble? Why do we have little faith in Him? This New Year, let us resolve to put Jesus first in our lives. Like the shepherds, let us seek Him first in all things. Let us praise and thank Him for all the good He has given us.
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.
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