January 1, 2025: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Gospel: 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

Slipped into the middle of this passage about the shepherds is the sentence, “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting (pondering) on them in her heart.” What were “all these things”?

Surely what had just occurred with the visit of the shepherds, but was Mary’s heart already filled with things — like why was she chosen to be God’s mother? What did Joseph’s dream mean? Why the journey to Bethlehem?

Why the stable and all the uncertainty surrounding it? Knowing all that had already transpired, what did the future hold for the young couple and their newborn?

Mary is our model for living life, not just going through the motions, rushing from one event to the next. Much of our lives too need to be reflected on to uncover the meaning of events, great and small, its unusual twists and turns.

It is often only in reflecting that we discover God’s Providence at work in our lives. As one photographer put it: “I always wait about 20 minutes after sunset to take pictures of it. The colors are at their most vibrant then.”

Action

Determine this week to spend time each day reflecting on a specific event in your day and the meaning it might hold for you.