20-second Summary
Mary had a little lamb… Though this rhyme refers to St. Mary, this does not mean she iss a sheep. Mary gave birth to The Lamb. This means she is the Mother of God.
As confusing as that is to our non-Catholic brethren, we as Catholics understand it and accept it. Just as Mary and Joseph accepted this great honor and responsibility. How do we share in Mary’s motherhood?
This week, we explore her example and how it blesses and encourages us to be Brothers and Sisters of and in Christ.
Catechesis At Home – Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God – Year A
Mother of God
First Reading
The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
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!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”
Responsorial Psalm
R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
Second Reading
Brothers and sisters:
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.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
Gospel Reading
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
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.
Mass Readings are presented verbatim from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) web site in good faith accordance with its “Web and Other Digital Media Usage” guidelines. All Rights are reserved to the USCCB.
Mother of God
REFLECTION – Blessings and Ponderings with the Mother of God
The first reading this week is a prayer of blessing that the Lord gives to Moses for all Israelites to use as a family blessing prayer. Every father and mother can and should use this blessing for their children. It is comforting and encouraging. The Psalm echoes the same sentiment. The Lord blesses us and shines His light upon us to bring us peace and grace.
The second reading ties the Old Testament to the New Testament. St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians does this beautifully, explaining how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises. He is God’s Son, born of a woman. Which brings us to the Gospel – Mary has just given birth to Jesus, the shepherds arrive to worship Him, then, they go out and proclaim the Good News to everyone they can! Finally, we hear that Jesus is brought to the temple for His circumcision and is presented and named according to the law of Moses and as the angel instructed Mary and Joseph.
Ponder with Mary the movement from the Old Covenant – when God promised His people that He would save them, make them a light to the nations, keep them as His children – into the New Covenant embodied in Jesus Christ. Jesus who lived a very ordinary life, being brought up in the faith by His earthly father and mother, Joseph and Mary. Who would change the world by His life, Passion, death and Resurrection. Ponder the movement in our own lives when we hear the proclamation of the Good News – that Jesus Christ, Second Person of the Trinity became Man, to bring salvation to the world – to accepting Him as our personal Lord and Savior. And becoming an adopted son or daughter of God through baptism. Then, how we bring that Good News to others, being the light to the nations, just like the shepherds.
DISCUSSION – Mary the Mother of God, Joseph, and Faith
Discuss this week the faith of Mary and Joseph and how their faithfulness has inspired and affected your own. Mary and Joseph followed their Jewish faith traditions and passed those on to Jesus. How can we pass on our Catholic faith traditions more fully to our children, family and friends?
Another aspect of Mary, the Mother of God, to discuss is how she is also a mother to us. When have you asked Mother Mary to intercede for you? When have you asked for her heavenly protection for yourself or others?
ACTIVITY – Hail Mary, the Mother of God
This week, pray the Hail Mary each day as a family. Recall that what we pray is Scriptural. Use the infographic Hail Mary to teach and explain the Scriptural references in the prayer. You can download it here.
DIG DEEPER – Other Mother of God resources from Holy Owned and Operated:
Article [Beth]: May Crowning
Article [Nick]: The Meanings Behind our Advent Traditions
Page: Mary Resources
Page: Advent Resources
TWMWU: Honor Your Father and Mother
TWMWU: Merry Christmas!
TWMWU: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
TWMWU: God Keeps His Promises
TWMWU: Blessed Are We
Podcast: Christmas – Episode 23
Podcast: Why Do Catholics Pray to Mary? – Episode 61
Podcast: The Incarnation – Episode 72
Podcast: The Hail Mary – Episode 98
Podcast: God the Son – Episode 105
What are your thoughts about the Mother of God?
by Beth & Kristofer Cowles
HOO™ Co-Founders
Other Help on HOO
Lust And Love – Episode 133
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:04 — 24.0MB)
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What is the difference between lust and love?
During this “season of Valentines” Beth and Kristofer cover this (often unknowingly) confusing and vitally important topic before we dive headlong into the pink and roses and hearts and whatnot.
Beth and Kristofer share how to tell the difference between lust and love, and how to teach that to impressionable minds and hearts.
And they do this in the context of Mortal Sin and Theological Virtue: Lust and Love, respectively.
They also, right out of the gate, point to Nick’s seven-part series about Love as a great resource on our web site for this discussion, which is linked to in the show notes.
Living in this world, but not of it, is difficult, and Beth and Kristofer offer us some pointers on how to do that, particularly in this day and age.
And, no, there is no inappropriate or “parental discretion advised” content in this episode.
But they do get attacked by a tree!
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