DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 1, 2011
SOLEMNITY, MARY, MOTHER OF GOD - A

Readings: Nm 6:22-27/ Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 7 / Gal 4:4-7 / Lk 2:16-21

NUMBERS 6:22-27
A week ago, Christmas just passed; and today, a new year has begun.
Our Gospel today speaks of the visit of the shepherds who have heard
of the birth of a special baby in a cave and lying in a manger. Even
though Mary knew her Son was special, she did not expect this kind of
attention from so many people. We are told that she treasured and
pondered about these things in her hear t. For a moment, we can
imagine for ourselves how things must have been for this young mother.
After the annunciation, she went out to visit her cousin Elizabeth and
possibly helped out in the bir th of John the Baptist. And because of
the census, she had to travel with Joseph to Bethlehem although heavy
with child only to give bir th in a stable. What did all this hardship
mean for her? What did she think God was telling her? And then, all
these strangers came to pay homage to her baby, telling of messages
from angels and signs from the heavens. What would we feel if we heard
all these things about our baby? And amidst all these, she had a baby
to take care of with only Joseph to help her. Anybody who has taken
care of a newly born infant knows how much work it involves. How did
she feel about all these happening at the same time? And yet, our
Gospel today tells us that Mary treasured and pondered all these
things in her hear t. What events in our lives from the past year do
we treasure and ponder about in our hear ts? And what events do we
look forward to in the coming year? How can God be par t of these
events?

LUKE 2:16-21
The shepherds came hurriedly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby
lying in the manger. On seeing this they related what they had been
told about the child, and all were astonished on hearing the
shepherds. As for Mary, she treasured all these messages and
continually pondered over them. The shepherds then returned giving
glor y and praise to God for all they had heard and seen, just as the
angels had told them. On the eighth day the circumcision of the baby
had to be performed; he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given
him before he was conceived.

REFLECTION
A week ago, Christmas just passed; and today, a new year has begun.
Our Gospel today speaks of the visit of the shepherds who have heard
of the birth of a special baby in a cave and lying in a manger. Even
though Mary knew her Son was special, she did not expect this kind of
attention from so many people. We are told that she treasured and
pondered about these things in her heart.

For a moment, we can imagine for ourselves how things must have been
for this young mother. After the annunciation, she went out to visit
her cousin Elizabeth and possibly helped out in the birth of John the
Baptist. And because of the census, she had to travel with Joseph to
Bethlehem although heavy with child only to give birth in a stable.
What did all this hardship mean for her? What did she think God was
telling her? And then, all these strangers came to pay homage to her
baby, telling of messages from angels and signs from the heavens. What
would we feel if we heard all these things about our baby? And amidst
all these, she had a baby to take care of with only Joseph to help
her. Anybody who has taken care of a newly born infant knows how much
work it involves. How did she feel about all these happening at the
same time?

And yet, our Gospel today tells us that Mary treasured and pondered
all these things in her heart. What events in our lives from the past
year do we treasure and ponder about in our hearts? And what events do
we look forward to in the coming year? How can God be part of these
events?

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Vicky Fabella
- Susan
- Nel de Leon
- Jo Marcelo, Jun Lee, John Lawrence
- Fabio Dapo
… for the personal intentions of
- Elena
- Haidee and Concepcion Gaw
- Margie Ponce De Leon and Evelyn Ponce De Leon
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Belen Sim
- Birthday: Lim Patrick Jan
- Thanksgiving: Castillo Family
- Thanksgiving: Gene & Cielo Salgado
- Thanksgiving: The Morabes
- Thanksgiving: Asahi Electrical Mfg Corp
- Thanksgiving: Bert & Rosie Libre & Children Families
- Prayer Intention: Joseph Lim Sinche
- Prayer Intention: Glenwood Commercial Inc. & Egghead System
- In Memoriam (+): Dr. Generosa Oreta Dizon
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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