Homily New Year 2006 - - - Mary, Mother of God

 

Most Rev. Jose H. Gomez
Archbishop of San Antonio 
 
My dear sisters and brothers in Christ:
 
Today as we begin the New Year, the Church celebrates the
Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God and the World day of peace
 
In the Evening Prayer of Liturgy of the Hours we said a prayer that
says: “On this day, the birth of a new year, let us pray for a world
renewed in the peace of God through the intercession of Mary, the
Mother of God” That’s what we are doing today.
 
We are still celebrating the Christmas season a time to rejoice and
contemplate the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the
Prince of peace. 
 
As the Church tells us these days: “The Lord will come: go out to
meet him! He is the prince of peace”.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is the
“Prince of peace”.
 
It is a special time for the growth of peace in our hearts. It is also a
time to pray for peace in the world, torn as it is, by violence and 
war. 
 
Today’s first reading from the Book of Numbers reminds us that
God wants peace for us: “The Lord said to Moses: ... say to them:
The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and
give you peace!...”
 
So we pray for peace in the world, peace in our country, peace in
our hearts. Because, as Pope Benedict XVI says in his message for
the World day of peace: “The theme chosen for this year's
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reflection—In truth, peace — expresses the conviction that
wherever and whenever men and women are enlightened by the
splendor of truth, they naturally set out on the path of peace”
 
We begin the New Year with hope and optimism; looking forward
to the many graces that God will grant to all of us throughout this
year. Our prayer is filled with the conviction that God is with us
and He wants peace for us. 
 
Again in the words of Pope Benedict XVI: “we must realize that
peace cannot be reduced to the simple absence of armed conflict,
but needs to be understood as ‘the fruit of an order which has
been planted in human society by its divine Founder’”
 
Peace begins with us.  It’s rooted in the truth of God and the
human person and it calls for the exercise of the virtue of justice,
but justice can never take root in our heart without the virtues of
humility, understanding, repentance, forgiveness and mercy.
Repentance is the mother of both mercy and justice -- the road to
true peace.    
 
It is fitting then, as we begin this New Year, that we should seek the
help of our mother, Mary, to look after and be mindful of the needs
of the Church. As one who is the model of discipleship for all of us,
she reminds us over and over again of our calling to holiness in the
Lord. 
 
She reminds us that we are children of God, as we just read in the 2nd
reading of today’s Mass: “When the fullness of time had come, God
sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those
under the law, so that we might receive adoptions as sons... So you
are not longer a slave but a son...”
 
She reminds us also that we need faith. Mary is teacher of faith... we
need FAITH...
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In today’s Gospel we contemplate the Adoration of the Shepherds,
how they had faith and “went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary
and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger...” and they were
astonished at what they found. 
 
As for Mary, our Blessed Mother, the Gospel tells us that she “kept
all these things, reflecting on them in her heart...” She saw
before her the child the angel told her would be born according to
God’s plan. Her yes to God was now fulfilled. “He was named
Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in
the womb”
 
We, like Mary and the shepherds, need faith. Faith that is alive,
like in Mary's life. Based on her faith She:
- accepted the Will of God wholeheartedly
- practice charity with others
- practice obedience, patience, perseverance...
- was able to suffer: no place for them in Bethlehem...Calvary...
- was able to give herself totally to God and to others.
 
Our Blessed Mother can help us to start the New Year with a new
desire to be aware of the Love of God for us and She can intercede
for us that God gives us the strength that we need to correspond to it
with deeds of Faith.
 
She, Mary our Mother, will help us to make good resolutions for the
New Year. Not just the typical easy resolutions of losing weight or
exercising more. 
 
We should think of resolutions that will help us to practice our faith
better such as attending daily Mass, praying the Rosary or
resolutions to grow in the knowledge of our faith: attending a Bible
Study group or reading a spiritual book.
 
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It could also be resolutions in the service of the Church and others.
Participating in the parish activities or simply helping out at home or
practicing some of the works of mercy with our family or co-
workers.
 
If we renew our desire to take care of our spiritual life, to practice
our faith, then we will have the peace of Christ and we’ll be able to
share it with others.
 
Let us ask Mary, Our Blessed Mother, Queen of Peace, to
intercede for us that Jesus, Prince of peace, will grant each one of
us and our families, real and lasting peace for our Country and for
the whole world, that we all can have a Happy New Year!