Mary, Mother of God

The Scripture readings for today can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/010115.cfm

Michelangelo's "Pieta" provided the centerpiece of the Vatican Pavilion at the 1965 New York World's Fair. Spectators viewed the famous statue from a moving walkway in a darkened room. The crowds spontaneously grew silent as the white marble gleamed under spotlights, and Gregorian chant was heard in the background. Why did visitors go silent? What did they see? They saw the one whose feast we are celebrating today: Mary, the Holy Mother, showing her Son to the world.

In showing Jesus to us, Mary shows us ourselves. We are the Body of Christ. Pope Francis is asking us to acknowledge this. He asks us to include those suffering from various kinds of slavery in our Christmas thoughts and New Year's resolutions. They are our brothers and sisters. We must see them as such and try to get the rest of the world to have the same vision.

On this Octave Day of Christmas, the gospel for today turns our attention to the scene at Bethlehem: Mary, Joseph, the infant Jesus, angels, and shepherds. In our Christian tradition, however, we see in the wood of the manger a foreshadowing of the wood of the wood of the cross. This little child who we adore will grow up, have a brief public life, and be crucified. His mother's soul will be pierced with a sword of sorrow.

Today, Pope Francis asks us to reflect upon the many forms of slavery that still exist in our "modern" world. He calls our attention to migrants, prostitution, exploitation of workers and others, enslavement of women and children. Individuals and groups profit from these sinful situations.

In opposition to slavery, Catholic teaching proclaims the inviolable dignity of every human person without discrimination. ALL human beings are brothers and sisters.

We are to reject inequality that allows enslavement. We are to act inclusively and generously, so that those enslaved can be set free. Then we shall have the blessing that brings peace.

In examining our own attitudes we need to ask ourselves if we consider ourselves in solidarity with those on the outskirts of society. Are our hearts open to those who may not have as many blessings as we have?

We all need to work towards peace in the world, which is more than the absence of war. We need to create a society in which all are truly free and equal. This means promoting liberty and justice for all, not only a few.

In our second reading from St. Paul's letter to the Galatians we read, "When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law,so that we might receive adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4) The gift of the Spirit, by which we cry "Abba" (Galatians 4:6), is not intended for an elite group, but for everyone! We are to work to that end, so that there are "slaves no more, but only brothers and sisters." (Galatians 4:7) May our communion in the one Bread bring us closer to becoming one Body of Christ. And may Mary, our Mother and Queen of Peace, help us accomplish this.