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Fr. Craig’s Contemplations
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Fr. Craig's Contemplations
On January 1 each year we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, titled Mary, Mother of God.
We first hear from the Book of Numbers, and what we hear in this passage is normally called, “the priestly blessing” for our Jewish ancestors in faith, this blessing was the “ending act” for ritual worship.
From this we hear from St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians. Most scripture scholars believe that Galatians was written about 25 years after Jesus’ Resurrection. We hear the Galatian struggling to understand what God the Father “accomplished” through Jesus Christ. In the end, one significant debate for the Galatian community was, salvation. Was salvation: (a) through the Law or (b) through grace in Christ?
St. Paul first lays that foundation, that Jesus’ was both fully human and fully divine. Jesus fulfils the law of the Old Testament and so through Him we have salvation. Yet, St. Paul adds something even greater, we become part of God’s family through divine adoption. [We understand that divine adoption happens at our baptism.]
Finally, St. Luke takes us to the Annunciation, where the shepherds seek out our Lord Jesus as an infant. After hearing what the shepherds say, Mary kept all these things in her heart. Over the next over 30 years, she will see how our Lord’s plan unfolds. In the end, we will see she is Mother of God.
On Sunday January 2 we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord.
We are called to reflect on the light of Christ. The divine light of our Lord entered the world two-thousand years ago, is the light that still shines in every Tabernacle throughout the world.
The epiphany of our Lord is documented in the second chapter of Matthew, verses one through 12. Yet, the manifestation of Christ is something that never goes away, once we receive the Lord’s presence in baptism and then strengthened each time we receive Him in the Most Blessed Sacrament, we can begin to see the same light in the countless followers of our Lord Jesus throughout the world.
May the Lord be with you!
Fr. Craig
READINGS FOR JANUARY 1, 2022
SOLEMNITY OF MARY,
THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
1st Reading—Numbers 6: 22-27—“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!”
Responsorial Psalm: 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8— “Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord; let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.”
2nd Reading—Galatians 4: 4-7—When the time had come, God sent the beloved Son born of a woman so that we might become adopted children. We are no longer slaves but heirs of God whom we call, “Abba, Father!”
Gospel Acclamation—Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! “Blesse dis he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Gospel—Luke 2: 16-21—On the eighth day, Mary’s child was circumcised and was give the name Jesus, that is, “God saves.” Mary “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”
READINGS FOR JANUARY 2, 2022
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
1st Reading—Isaiah 60: 1-6—Darkness covers the earth, and heavy clouds hang over the people. But the light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines bright.
Responsorial Psalm: 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13— “Every nation on earth will adore you, Lord; every nation on earth, will adore you Lord!”
2nd Reading—Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6—In Christ Jesus, Gentiles and Jews are co-heirs of the family fortune and co-sharers in the saving promise.
Gospel Acclamation—Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! “The magi followed the star, and found the child with Mary, they brought gifts and gave him homage.” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Gospel—Mathew 2: 1-12—The magi from the east followed the star until it stopped over the house. They entered, found the child with Mary, prostrated themselves, and did him homage.