Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (“B”)
January 1, 2012

Q. 665: Our readings today seem to be unusually full of hope and blessing.

A. 665: Indeed, what great hope this treasured gospel story (Luke 2:16-21) gives us! What promises it holds! As the Responsorial Psalm (67) says today, God has truly blessed us in his mercy! The theme of “blessing” is both explicit and implicit in all of the readings.

Once again we see that the Son of God, who actually chose to be born in poverty, was born not in a palace but in a stable or cave used to house animals. This is where the shepherds found him—in a manger or feed trough made for animals, no less! The Son of God chose to be born in weakness, in our human messiness, in our vulnerable situation. Clearly, Jesus wanted to share in our very life, especially the life of the poor and marginalized. In fact, the message of the birth of our Savior was first given to lowly shepherds—not exactly the cream of high society! What great dignity this gives to all humans, that Jesus chose the way of poverty rather than privilege.

The poverty of the Holy Family is proven. We are told that Joseph and Mary took the child to be circumcised, as the Judaic law required. Also, the law in Leviticus 12 required a poor woman to offer two doves if she could not afford a lamb, for her own legal purification offering. And that is what happened.

I find it very hopeful that Jesus wanted to show his unconditional love for us, and his desire to share our very lives, by sharing in the same environment of poverty that existed in his day. That sharing continues to this day, because we also know the end of the story—that his love for us was so pure and so strong that he freely chose to die for our sins and redeem us. Now he lives to intercede lovingly for us forever!

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! Jesus’ circumcision on the eight day after his birth is a sign of his incorporation into the people of the covenant. This sign prefigures that “circumcision of Christ” which is Baptism (see Colossians 2:11-13)(CCC #527).

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha

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