God sent his Son, born of a woman

MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD - Galatians 4:4-7

We begin the New Year in good company, with the Virgin Mary, proclaimed as the Mother of God. We may be surprised and even puzzled by such a title attributed to Mary. And we may be accused of blasphemy. The title 'Mother of God’ is not understood as meaning that Mary existed before God and gave birth to a god that did not exist before. The title is a proclamation of faith in her son, Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. Saint Paul affirmed it very clearly when he wrote to the Galatians, “God sent his Son, born of a woman” (Gal 4:4). In the Council of Ephesus (431), Nestorius was condemned, and the title of ‘Theotokos' was approved, thus affirming that in Jesus Christ, there is only one person, the person of the Son of God, who assumed human nature.

Thus, we begin the New Year in the company of Mary and with a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Indeed, Mary is the most blessed and full of grace. She is the highly favoured one. In her favour, she leads us to Christ, who is the Prince of Peace. We entrust the New Year to the Virgin Mary so that she may present us to Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life.

Happy New Year to all of you.