Sunday Homily – 01 January 2023

Mary, Mother of God Solemnity (Octave of Christmas)

Also Read: Mass Readings for 01 January 2023 Mass Reading Reflection for 01 January 2023

Catholic Gallery wishes you and your Family a Very Happy New Year 2023!

Gospel: Luke 2: 16-21

Happy New year! May Jesus born in Bethlehem, His most Holy Mother, and St. Joseph the head of the holiest family bless you all with a blessed year!

We start the new year celebrating the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Let her loving protection surround you all throughout the new year and the years to come.

The solemnity of Our Lady, Mother of God reminds us of Genesis, where our parents were disobedient to taste the fruit of the forbidden tree and were thrown out of Paradise (Gen 2, 3). Our Lady is the antithesis of the forbidden tree in Paradise; by tasting her fruit we are granted reentry to Paradise. Our Lady is the heavenly tree planted on earth for the benefit of those who approach her and taste her fruit. Meditating Her as the grand heavenly tree planted on earth is worth it for the new year. The contribution of a tree is not just its fruits; we need to count them in detail.

Trees are about shades also. There is hardly any who has never approached a tree to escape the heat of the sun. The tree takes all the heat from the sun and blesses us with its cool shade. Likewise, Mary protects us from the harsh justice of God and blesses us with His mercy. She shades us from the wrath of Divine justice by offering her unconditional obedience and suffering. No tree can shade us unless it exposes itself to the sun’s scorching heat.

Trees are refreshing, and so is Our Lady.  People working in fields are occasionally found underneath a nearby tree. They would lean against the tree and have a bite from their lunch, quench their thirst, and take a quick nap, or chit-chat for a while; in a  while, they would be ready to take off once again. Resort to Our Lady and you shall be refreshed to take on your family and carrier responsibilities like never before.

Trees are like umbrellas, and so is Our Lady. When you are out in the open and it rains unexpectedly, you run to the tree next. When life offers unexpected twists and turns, it is best to resort to Our Lady; you will not be left cold out in the open. Our Lady is that umbrella that will protect you from unexpected torrents in your life.

Trees are home to the homeless, and so is Our Lady. Birds of the air take refuge in a tree and it is their home. Home is where the mother is! Countless saints of the church are known to have taken shelter with Our Lady and they were never rendered disappointed.

Trees adorn the world, and so does Our lady. Trees adorn with their greenery, their colorful flowers, and fragrance. Our lady is that heavenly tree that adorns the church with her virtues, which are far more beautiful than any flower, and more fragrant than anything. She loves you to be beautiful and fragrant like herself.  

Trees divide toxic carbon dioxide and gift us oxygen and conserve carbon as their trunk. Our Lady destroys our sinful nature and helps reinvent our original holiness. It helps to be close to her.

Trees feed the world with their fruits; Our Lady feeds the world with the most valuable fruit of her womb, Jesus! And those who are fed on Jesus are never to hunger again, and those who drink from the well that is Jesus are never to thirst again (Jn 6:35, 7:37), and they shall taste the heavenly banquet.

As we move forward to the new year, let Her enliven you with her most important fruit, Jesus. Let the Virgin Mary Mother of God shade you, refresh you, adorn you, purify you, be your favorite resting place and asylum, and feed you daily.

Amen