The first day of each year marks the Solemnity of Mary as Mother of God. What a beautiful celebration we have here wherein, after the birth of our Savior, we honor Mary as Mother of God. For indeed, we believe that Jesus is God, and Mary as the Mother of our Lord makes her the Mother of God.
Among all women, she is the only one who can claim the title but what does it really mean for us? Mary is indeed a Mother of God but she is also a mother to all us too. By God’s providence, the liturgy of New Year’s day also reminds us that we have Mary as our mother in heaven. We do not only have a biological mother or a nurturing mother who cared for us on earth but most importantly, there is one in heaven who prays for our every need. This is what it means to be a mother – the mother gives birth to the child. Moreover, even if it is not so, she is instrumental in sustaining the life of the child.
This is also the same for us as children of Mary. Our life on earth is full of problems and misery, and at times, we seem to have no escape from them. Our only choice at times is to endure. Our Mother Mary, who is the Mother of God will pray for us, guide us and strengthen us for every obstacle in need. We need to believe first in her intercession and see for ourselves through our experiences of faith how true this is. May we always remember that apart from being our Mother, she is the Mother of God first.
She is closest to her Son, Jesus, who is our God and Savior. No other woman apart from Mother Mary could bring us safely to Christ from the beginning, continuing, and end of our lives. This is also why, in every “Hail Mary”, we say to her, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.”
Amen.
Marga de Jesus | OLA Social Communications
