Christmas Feasts 4: In the Arms of Mary
Mary, Mother of God by Michelle McDaniel (NTC).
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Jan. 1
Steps to Lectio Divina
Start by using these steps to reflect on the Scripture verse. Then read my meditation slowly.
Lectio: Having asked for the grace to hear God's word, read the passage twice.
Meditatio: During the second reading, pause whenever so moved and reflect on a word, a sentence, or an image that strikes you.
Oratio: Speak directly to God, and open your reflection to Him.
Contemplatio: Listen contemplatively for any response God might choose to make. Remember that God responds to us at times with loving silence.
The Scripture
From the Gospel for Jan. 1, 2019, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Luke 2:16-21)
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
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.
Reflection
The shepherds heard the good news at the lips of angels about the arrival of the King of Kings. They ran in haste to find the infant. And upon finding the child Jesus, they knelt at the feet of Mary, adoring their King, for everything that the angels told them was true. This was the long-awaited Savior, born of the line of King David. This heralded King was found in the lap of his mother, Mary.
There they did homage to the one who was born to save them and all of Israel. They had been graced with things that prophets of old had dreamed to glimpse. They were witnesses to the reality that the Lord had come to save His people.
It is here that Jesus is found in the arms of Mary. So too today, Jesus is found, safely nestled in the tabernacle of our Catholic churches. On that Christmas day, Mary the Mother of God, brought Jesus into the world. And today she again brings Him forth so that the shepherds may adore their King.
To celebrate this Holy Day, let us go along with the shepherds and seek Him. Rejoice, for we too have been told where to find Him!
He is most clearly found in the Eucharist and awaits us there in the tabernacle. Let us run to His feet in Mass and kneel before our King that we may gaze upon Him in the sanctuary.
May this encounter with the newborn Savior fill our hearts with joy and be a source of consolation and grace for years to come — just as our Blessed Mother kept all these things in her own heart.
Callie Nowlin, MTS, is a regular contributor to the North Texas Catholic.
Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.