Gospel – Luke 2:16-21
So the shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
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 Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is for Martin Family
Reflection:
This is the octave day of Christmas, dedicated as a solemnity to Mary, The Holy Mother of God. The gospel invites us to join the shepherds as they visit the new-born child in Bethlehem, and to share in their wonder and joy.
How have our celebrations over the Christmas Season brought us closer to Jesus and his mother? Or have we found it difficult to find oases of quiet time in which to enter deeply into the mystery of it all?
We cannot but be aware that this is also New Year’s Day. How do we feel about entering a new phase of our journey through our Christian life?
Are we in an expectant and hopeful mood, or are we apathetic or despondent? Whatever our feelings may be, it would be good to share them with God and ask his blessing on the days and months ahead.
A scene worthy of endless silent contemplation! I marvel that the infant Son of the Most High God, through whom all things came into being, should be found in a stable, lying in a trough used for feeding animals. Mary had laid him there after wrapping him up in bands of swaddling cloth. Astonishing!
Nobody could have made it up, but God wanted it so.. Shepherds were the poorest of the poor, yet God favours them and they are the first to carry the Good News of the birth of the Saviour.
And let us recall the words of Our Holy Father, “I want a Church which is poor and for the poor”.
After eight days Joseph formally names the child Jesus! Jesus means ‘God saves’. “Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”. Christ means ‘anointed’.
- How often do you recall your own anointing?
