MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU

MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD - Numbers 6:22-27

We begin the New Year in the company of Mary of Nazareth, the mother of Jesus, the Messiah. Today, we acclaim her as the Mother of God or Theotokos. We may find such a title very strange, but it was adopted in the ecumenical council of Ephesus (in 431), as a proclamation of faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. By calling Mary Mother o God, we say that her son, Jesus, is divine, or that the son born of her is God who came to be with us. He is Immanuel, that is, God with us (Mt 1:23). In no way do we mean that the Son of God was generated by Mary, but through her, He assumed a human body for him to live with us. By God’s favour and choice, Mary played an important role in the fulfilment of God’s plan of salvation. The gospel of John presents Mary at the beginning and the end of Jesus’ ministry. Before dying, Jesus entrusted her to his beloved disciple, who cared for her as his mother. Each one of us is called to be that beloved disciple. Like him, we must welcome Mary in our homes, being sure that she will pay attention to our shortcomings and then she will take them to Jesus for him to transform our sadness and suffering into happiness and wholeness.

We address Mary, as the Mother of God and ask for her intercession so that we may find peace. Indeed, as we enter the new year, we are called to pray for peace, so that we may give praise and glory to God. Every year, on the first day of the year, the whole Church prays for peace. With Europe at war, a war that is in danger of escalating, we must kneel and recognise that “no one can be saved alone”. Peace is only possible when everybody is ready to work for peace, giving the best of themselves and accepting the contribution of others.  asking for God’s blessings. We must recognise that God has made us his children. Through the spirit that He has poured on us, we can address Him saying: “Abba, Father” (Gal 4:4-7). We are not slaves, but children and we must live according to our dignity as children. We may apply the Bemba proverb: Cimumbwa pala noko pala wiso ukuwama. You creature, be like your mother, be like your father, how that is good.

At the beginning of the year, the Church presents us with God’s blessings, as it is given in the book of Numbers:

The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘Say this to Aaron and his sons: “This is how you are to bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.”

With the Virgin Mary, let us ask for God’s blessings, so that we may work for peace.