Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis
with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
The Octave Day of Christmas: Solemnity of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, the Mother of God & World Day of Peace – January 1, 2020.
Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Responsorial Psalm PS
67:2-3, 5, 6, 8(R.v.2a);
Galatians 4:4-7 & Gospel Luke 2:16-21.
Theme: Peace in the World through Mary Our Mother
Introduction
Beloved in Christ,
today we celebrate another New Year. We thank God for guiding us through 2019
to a brand new year. The Church in her wisdom has asked us to begin the year
with the celebration of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) as Mother
of God and World Day of Peace which was established by Pope Paul VI in 1968 as a day in which
the Mass for peace is said throughout the Catholic world. There is no better way to commence the year than
to seek the maternal intercession of the BVM. This is why our reflection titled “Peace in the World through
Mary Our Mother” aspires to draw
attention to the importance of global peace through the continuous intercession
of the Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Background
& Summary of the Readings
In the first reading (Numbers 6:22-27), God commanded Moses to bless the sons and
daughters of Israel. The invocation of divine benediction upon the children of Israel
signals dependence on God who is merciful. There is no proper time to seek
God’s blessings than the beginning of the year which makes the reading apt.
In the second reading (Galatians 4:4-7), St. Paul assures that we have received the
spirit of adoption as God’s sons and daughters. It also discloses that this was
made possible through the incarnation of Christ who humbled himself to be born
of a woman, the BVM who is the mother of God. The text assures that we have been
given the spirit of his Son which makes us cry “Abba! Father.” This means that
we are no longer slaves since we have a father and a mother who are always
there to listen to our needs.
The gospel (Luke
2:16-21) relates that the BVM kept everything that was said about her
Son and pondered it in her heart. The visit of the shepherds and the
circumcision as well as the naming of Jesus does not only indicate how God
mixes with us but shows how we must cooperate with the will of God for divine
realities to emerge.
Why is the BVM Mother of God?
1. Because the Aramaic title “the Mother of my
Lord” refers to Jesus Christ as Adonai “My Lord.”
2. Because the child Jesus, who is the Second
Person of the Blessed Trinity, is described as Holy and addressed as the Son of
God (Luke 1:35).
3. Because Mary’s Cousin Elizabeth would refer
to as “Mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43).
Of Dogma and Theotokos
A dogma is the official teaching of the Catholic
Church which pertains to faith and morals proclaimed by the Magisterium (the
teaching body of the Church) through the Roman Pontiff which binds on all Catholics. Dogmas are lights along the path of
faith; they illuminate and make faith secure (John 8:31-32). Built upon divine
foundations, dogmas are firmly rooted in scripture as evident in the Holy
Scripture (Cf. Matthew 18:18 & 16:18-19, John 21:16 & Luke 10:16).
Theotokos simply means “God bearer.” It is traced to the Council of Ephesus in 431, the
third Ecumenical Council. It was Cyril of
Alexandra who rose against Nestorius, the Patriarch of Constantinople (Turkey)
who held that Mary was only the mother of the human Jesus and not God. St.
Cyril defended the teaching that Mary is theotokos
because she gave birth to the Word of God made flesh. Since then, the Catholic
Church has upheld the teaching that Christ has two natures, human and divine
insisting that the Virgin Mary gave Christ humanity. St. Athanasius (373) had argued that theotokos
shows that the true humanity of Christ pre-existed.
The BVM in Islam
Muslims hold the BVM in high esteem. Interestingly, in
the Holy Quran, there is no mention of a woman except Maryam, the Mother of Isa,
Jesus whom Christians regard as the Christ. Chapter 3 of the Holy Quran is
called “family of Maryam” and chapter 19 is titled “Maryam.” Chapter 3:34 says
Mary was born without original sin; she never committed any sin in her life and
she was ever virgin. Also, Quran chapter 50:23 reveals that she went to heaven
with her physical body describing the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
into heaven.
Pastoral Lessons
1. The Clergy
Should Ensure Justice and Peace: Since God commanded Moses to bless the sons and daughters of
Israel in the first reading, religious leaders are charged to seek the welfare
of the people in a way that justice and peace are justly dispensed.
2. For World-Peace, Embrace the Spirit and Humility:
The message of the second reading that we have received the spirit of adoption as God’s sons
and daughters through the incarnation of Christ who humbled himself to be born
of a woman, the BVM who is the mother of God reminds us that peace can only be
achieved in the world through openness to God’s spirit and embracing sincere
humility.
3. Always Ponder the
Word of God: By pondering everything that was said
about the child in her heart, the BVM invites us to always ponder the Word of
God.
4. Great things Happen
When God mixes with Us: The visit of the shepherds and the
circumcision as well as the naming of Jesus does not only indicate how God
mixes with us but shows how we must cooperate with the will of God for divine
realities to emerge.
5. Peace Takes Place
Where People are Generous/Kind-Hearted: The
generosity of Joseph and Mary in showing their Son to the shepherds urges us to
realise that peaceful coexistence is possible where people are generous and
kind-hearted.
6. Where Our
Mother is, We too May Be: Because Mary’s Divine
Motherhood prepared her for her glorious assumption, the solemnity of Theotokos teaches is that where our
mother is, we too may be.
7. Theotokos Calls Us to Holiness & Prayer: The celebration stirs
up the desire for holiness in us even as it reminds us to seriously take to a
life of prayer especially the rosary and other Marian Devotions.
8. It Celebrates Victory Over Sin: It prompts us
to be ambassadors of the BVM through victory over sin and death.
9. It Shows Christ’s Humanity Pre-existed: As testified by St. Athanasius (373), theotokos
shows that the true humanity of Christ pre-existed before time began.
10.
It Debunks Nestorianism: Our celebration debunks
Nestorianism which says Mary was only the mother of the human Jesus and not
God by insisting like St. Cyril that the BVM is the Mother of Jesus who is both
human and divine.
Homiletic
Quotes to Remember
1. World Day of Peace - was established by Pope Paul VI in 1968 as a day in which
the Mass for peace is said throughout the Catholic world.
2. In the first reading, God commanded Moses to bless the
sons and daughters of Israel.
3. In the second reading, St. Paul assures that we
have received the spirit of adoption as God’s sons and daughters.
4. The gospel relates that the BVM kept everything
that was said about her Son and pondered it in her heart.
5. The visit of the shepherds and the circumcision as
well as the naming of Jesus …indicates how God mixes with [us].
Conclusion
As we celebrate the BVM as theotokos and World Day of Peace, we are challenged to scan our New
Year Resolutions on the commitment to making the world a better place. In our
personal and public lives, we are called to use this day not only to pray for peace
in the world but to be more committed in showcasing “a lively faith animated by
charity.” May Christ the prince of peace grant us peace in our homes, our country and the world at
large. Amen. Happy New Year!
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