Stay, Pray, Obey

Homily for the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

A good friend, after looking at the three readings for today’s liturgy, all of which are rather short, made the comment that I would have to come up with a longer homily than usual because of their shortness. Well, I am happy to tell you that is not going to be the case. As a matter fact, like the readings, my homily is going to be shorter than it usually is.

Today we celebrate the feast of Mary, the Mother of God. The picture of Mary as it appears in the gospel for today shows us Mary staying, praying, and obeying.

First, she is simply there, staying at the manger, with Joseph and the baby Jesus. She does not go to the shepherds; they come to her. Later on, the Magi will also come to her. While the men in this Gospel move around the circumference, a woman is at the center of the circle.

Second, she kept all these things that had happened and reflected on them in her heart. This is a very elaborate way of saying that Mary prayed about all that happened to and through her on that first Christmas in Bethlehem.

Finally, she and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be circumcised eight days after he was born as the Mosaic law commanded, and they named him “Jesus” in obedience to the Angel’s command to both Mary and Joseph. Both the circumcising and the naming were instances of obeying: obeying God’s Mosaic law and obeying God’s angel.

Mary stayed by the manger taking care of her child, she prayed over all the things that were happening to her and through her, and she obeyed the law of Moses and the angel who had announced the birth of her son.  May it be said of us that we also stay with the Lord, pray to the Lord, and obey the Lord.

May we all have a very happy and blessed New Year.