First reading Numbers 6:22-27
They are to call down my name on the sons of Israel, and I will bless them
The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘Say this to Aaron and his sons: “This is how you are to bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.”
This is how they are to call down my name on the sons of Israel, and I will bless them.’
Responsorial Psalm 66(67):2-3,5,6,8
Second reading Galatians 4:4-7
God sent his Son, born of a woman
When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law and to enable us to be adopted as sons. The proof that you are sons is that God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts: the Spirit that cries, ‘Abba, Father’, and it is this that makes you a son, you are not a slave any more; and if God has made you son, then he has made you heir.
Gospel Luke 2:16-21
The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found the baby lying in the manger
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
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A welcoming heart
We begin this new day of the new year with the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God. In today’s Gospel, the shepherds, who often lived on the fringes of society, facing rejection and isolation, journeyed to witness the arrival of her newborn child. With open hearts, Mary and Joseph welcomed these humble visitors, embodying the spirit of compassion and inclusion in their joyful moment.
Today, as we begin this new year, let us adopt an attitude of welcoming others who come our way, particularly individuals often overlooked in our society. Instead of viewing others through the narrow lens of judgment and prejudice, let us strive to see them as fellow human beings, each possessing their own unique stories and inherent dignity. Let us ask Mother Mary to help us live this new year with hearts that love like she did.
Reflective question:
What attitude do I want to embrace in this new year?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
