MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD, solemnity

(Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 66(67); Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)

Theme: Learning from the Mother of God

At Christmas, we were reminded once again that the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed upon the human race the grace of eternal salvation. Thus, today (tonight), the Church recognises the life of the Woman, the New Eve (Mother of God’s People), the Theotokos, whose great Fiat/Yes initiated the climax of our salvific history and the beginning of its definitive form.

Thus, as we celebrate Mary, Theotokos, the Mother of God, the Word of God reminds us that we can attain the highest form of our salvation, authored by our Lord Jesus and supported by His Mother Mary the Virgin and St Joseph, if we are willing to embrace the demands of our identity as God’s children and to experience and become the light of God’s salvation.

The first reading reminds us that, as God's children, the Lord has marked us with His name. The second reading tells us that God has filled our hearts with the Spirit of His Son. Therefore, we have been set apart from conception and, through baptism, freed from the bondage of sin; so, we can receive the blessings meant for God's children, especially when we draw from Mary’s life.

Although Genesis 3:15 and Isaiah 7:14 both speak of God's vision of the Virgin's immaculate conception, our Mary was still given the choice to accept or decline her role as the first tabernacle of the author of life. Yet, with humility, she willingly embraced God's will and plan. Likewise, after the angel announced the birth of our Saviour, the shepherds were inspired to search eagerly for the Holy Family.

In essence, with God's grace within us and His light guiding our way, we can overcome the challenges that may arise in 2026. So, let us embrace our identity as God’s children, which should inform what we say and do. First, we must fill our minds with God’s word to eliminate darkened thoughts, backward habits, attitudes, and bad ideas that limit our vision.

We must deliberately and consistently develop—through prayer, meditation, and contemplation—visions of change; listen to and engage with sincere men and women who are willing to help you grow in faith and succeed in your life roles; be receptive to re-evaluating, redesigning, and building new philosophies of life to strengthen your faith, commitments, and responsibilities. Like our Mother Mary, we must remain focused and attentive. Do not permit room for errors in judgments or neglect of minor faults. We must be willing to embrace metanoia.