My Homily for Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God 1st January 2025.
Today, we gather to mark the beginning of a new year 2025, a fresh start, a new chapter filled with hope and anticipation. At the same time, we are celebrating the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. As we step into this new chapter, it’s fitting that we do so under the loving gaze of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
The figure of Mary embodies faith, courage, and an unwavering trust in God’s plan. As the Mother of Jesus, she played a crucial role in the divine narrative, accepting her path with humility and grace. Her journey wasn’t easy; it was marked by moments of joy, sorrow, and profound faith. In Mary, we see an example of someone who embraced God’s will wholeheartedly, even when it led her into the unknown.
On this day, as we reflect on Mary’s role in the story of salvation, let us draw inspiration from her example. Just as Mary said “yes” to God’s call, may we also open our hearts to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Let us approach this new year with the same faith and trust that Mary demonstrated, knowing that God walks with us every step of the way.
As we celebrate this Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, let us ask for her intercession and guidance. May she help us to navigate the year ahead with grace and wisdom, and may her example inspire us to deepen our faith and trust in God’s plan.
In the first reading, we are presented with a passage that highlights the role of the priestly blessing in the life of the Israelite community. This passage beautifully captures the essence of God’s relationship with His people—one of constant care, gracious presence, and the gift of peace. It’s a powerful reminder of the divine blessings that encompass every facet of life.
The blessing is initiated by God, who instructs Moses to convey it to Aaron and his sons, the priests. This underscores that the blessing is not merely a human gesture but a divine gift and command.
It is pronounced in three dimensions
The first dimension is: The LORD bless you and keep you: This emphasizes God’s protection and provision. It is a prayer for God’s favor and sustenance in all aspects of life. X3 o Lord, bless me and keep me in this new year 2025
The second dimension is: The LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you: This dimension of the blessing speaks of God’s presence and grace. “Shining face” implies God’s attention and favor, and grace refers to His unmerited love and kindness. X3 O LORD make your face shine upon me and be gracious to me in this 2025. Make me shine in this world in this 2025. Make me shine in my family in this 2025. Make me shine in my community in this 2025, make me shine in my work in this 2025. Make me shine in my business in this 2025. Make me shine in my career in this 2025. Make me shine in the eyes of my wife in this new year. Make me shine in the eyes of my husband in this 2025. In what other area do you want to shine? Tell it to God,…. O God make me shine in…..
The last dimension of the blessing is: The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace: This final element invokes God’s approval and peace which is a holistic sense of well-being and harmony. X3 O LORD look upon me kindly and give me peace in this 2025.
In the Gospel reading today, we hear the shepherds’ story—a story of amazement and wonder as they encounter the newborn Jesus. Their response was to share the good news, spreading the message of hope and love that Christ’s birth brought into the world. As we embark on this new year, let us also be bearers of good news. Let our lives reflect the love, peace, and joy that Jesus brings, reaching out to those in need and spreading kindness wherever we go.
The start of a new year is often a time for resolutions and setting goals. As we make our plans and set our intentions, let’s remember to prioritize our spiritual growth and our relationship with God. Let us resolve to be more compassionate, more forgiving, and more dedicated to living out our faith in our daily lives.
And for me, 1st of January each year, is always the day at which I wish everyone (man or woman) to become pregnant. Me too, I wish myself to get pregnant. Actually, I wish myself a “TWINS PREGNANCY”. Pregnancy symbolizes a multitude of positive things. It symbolizes new beginnings, growth and multiplication, hope and future, strength and resilience, unity and connection.
Pregnancy is the start of a new chapter or the potential for growth and change. It’s a physical manifestation of life’s ability to create, multiply and nurture new existence. May your life multiply, may your joy become pregnant and multiply. May you become pregnant of new ideas to create new things, new businesses, new methods, new networks to prosper and develop yourself. May your financial endeavors become pregnant and multiply to give birth to a great financial breakthrough. May 2025 be your year of prosperity.
PREGNANCY represents the continuation of life, carrying the hopes and dreams for the future. The anticipation of a child brings excitement and the promise of new experiences and possibilities. May you become pregnant of new exciting experiences and possibilities for development.
The journey of PREGNANCY can symbolize the incredible strength and resilience of the human body and spirit. It’s a testament to the enduring nature of life and the perseverance required to bring new life into the world. May you become pregnant of strength and resilience to overcome every challenge you encounter in 2025.
PREGNANCY also symbolizes the deep connection between partners, family members, and even with the larger community. It often brings people together in shared joy and support. May you become pregnant of shared joy and mutual support in your family in 2025.
PREGNANCY in many cultures and belief systems is seen as a spiritual and sacred act, a divine process that connects the human experience to the spiritual realm. It’s often revered and celebrated as a miraculous event. May your faith become pregnant and multiply in 2025. May God’s miracles accompany you.
PREGNANCY is victory and success over barrenness. May you be victorious and successful in any areas where you have been barren. May 2025 be nothing but a year of tremendous success, prosperity and spiritual growth for you.
I need to become pregnant this year so that I can be a better person. You too need the same.
May you become pregnant this new year so that you become a better person.
May all of you become pregnant this new year so that you become better persons. May all of us become pregnant this year. Amen. I wish you all God’s blessings