Resolved. Rested. (Mary, Mother of God, 2017-01-01)

Solemnity Mary Mother of God,  New Year’s Day 2017,

[___01__]    In the little town of Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph are with Jesus. Jesus is lying in the manger. They are at rest. They are at rest and receiving guests.

This [restfulness] will continue in the Gospel of next Sunday, the Gospel of the Epiphany when the Three Kings visit. The Magi from the East.

Now, they [the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph] are at rest.

[___02__]     When we are at rest, we are better able to …

-         Think about (ponder !)  our resolutions

-         Think about (ponder/meditate) our commitments.

January 1^st is a day of rest for many of us.

A day of rest and day that we naturally think about [ponder] resolutions and the new year.

          At a time of rest, we are more resolved, more peaceful, able to think about (consider) our commitments.

          On this day of rest, we are very mindful that things are changing that it is a new year.  We have all these resolutions. Then, sometime during the week, we think – what year is it?

          We forget, perhaps, that the year has changed (elapsed).

[___03__]    Nevertheless, this time of rest is important for us to make resolutions.

          Mary, the Mother of God, makes a resolution first to become the mother of our Savior.

          And, in that moment of resolution, Jesus becomes our Savior, even before he is born, even before he takes one step, says one word, or makes one resolution.

[___04__]     At times of rest, we also discover our true identity.

          Parents,  occasionally are permitted to rest. For example, on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, they are permitted to rest.

         

          If their children are not too small, they can rest, sleep a little later. It is similar to New Year’s Day.

          On Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, we don’t simply celebrate for what they do, but for simply for who they are are, that they exist.

          The less they “do”, the better. What is important is their presence and our knowledge of their presence.

          [ELABORATE: FEAST + GOSPEL – what we recall on this Feast is not necessarily what Mary or Jesus have done, but simply that they are, that they exist. And, Mary – in this Gospel is pondering who Jesus is – as she welcomes the shepherds who have come to adore him.]

         

[___05__]    We also remember – on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day – simply that they are, including for our mothers and fathers who have died or passed away.

[___06__]     A resolution is something we make based on our identity.

          For example, our parents tell us things to do based on their identity. We, perhaps, did not always want to hear it, but it was a valid reason for our parents to tell us…

► “because I am your mother”

►  “because I am your father.”

This is their resolution, their profession of faith, their identity.

[___07__]   This relationship of parent-child transcends time, it is eternal.

On this feast, we remember that Mary exists as the Mother of God not for what she herself has done but because she has said YES and because of what God has done in her life.

With Mary’s new resolution – her resolution makes a new year, a new time for all of us.

[___08__]  This relationship of Mary to Jesus which begins before his birth – and continues after his death – is an image and reminder to all of us, in our relationships to our parents and to our children.

This is a reminder to all parents and grandparents and children.

And, if a child were to be separated – by death – from his or her mother or father, a child can trust that his or her mother or father prays for him in heaven.

Mothers and fathers  and grandparents can trust that one day they will be reunited with their children.

This is because of Mary’s yes, which enables Jesus to live, to conquer sin and death, to make a new year, a new time for us. [___fin__]