The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Today the Church celebrates the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The assigned readings are Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7, and Luke 2:16-21. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 67 (Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflections related to these readings and this feast day:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Mary, Mother of God (January 1, 2013)

Msgr. Charles Pope: A Journey to the Heavenly Father on Feast of Mother Mary, And Carried There in Her Very Arms. (31 DEC 11)

The Deacon’s Bench: “Today is where your book begins; the rest is still unwritten” (31 DEC 12)

The New Theological Movement: What we say about Jesus, when we call Mary the “Mother of God” (1 JAN 13)

Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio: Mary, the Mother of God?