And Mary Said, ‘Behold, I Am the Handmaid of the Lord; Let It Be to Me According to Your Word’ (Luke 1:38)
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, celebrated on January 1st, marks the beginning of the new year in the liturgical calendar, and it is a powerful way to begin a year by honoring Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ and our spiritual mother. This feast is one of the oldest Marian feasts in the Church, and it holds profound significance for Catholics as we recognize Mary’s unique role in the salvation of humanity.
Mary: The Mother of God
The title "Mother of God" (Theotokos in Greek) was given to Mary at the Council of Ephesus in 431, affirming the belief that the child she bore, Jesus, was both fully God and fully man. Mary, as the Mother of Jesus, is honored as the Mother of God because she gave birth to the second Person of the Trinity. This title does not diminish her humanity but elevates it—Mary is not the source of Jesus' divinity, but she is the mother of the Person who is both God and man.
Through her willing "yes" to God’s plan, Mary became the vessel through which salvation entered the world. The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, is an opportunity for us to reflect on her profound humility and obedience to God's will. As the first disciple, Mary exemplifies the Christian call to say "yes" to God in all things.
Mary’s Role in Our Lives
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, is not only a day to honor her historical role in the birth of Christ but also a day to reflect on her ongoing role as our spiritual mother. At the foot of the Cross, Jesus entrusted His mother to the care of the beloved disciple, John, saying, “Woman, behold your son” (John 19:26). In this moment, Mary was given as a mother to all Christians. She continues to intercede for us, drawing us closer to her Son.
Catholics are encouraged to turn to Mary in prayer, seeking her intercession. As our spiritual mother, she helps guide us on our journey of faith. Her example of humility, obedience, and love serves as a model for all Christians.
Mary’s Fiat: A Model of Obedience and Trust
At the Annunciation, Mary responded to God’s call with complete trust and obedience. When the angel Gabriel told her that she would conceive the Son of God, Mary did not fully understand how this would happen, but she said, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her Fiat, her “yes” to God, was not just a passive acceptance but an active choice to embrace God’s will.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
On the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, we are invited to reflect on our own "yes" to God. Like Mary, we are called to accept God’s will with faith, even when it is difficult or uncertain. Her response to God is the ideal model for how we should respond to God in our own lives: with openness, trust, and obedience.
The Significance of Mary in the Catholic Church
Mary’s role in the Church is irreplaceable. She is the Mother of the Church, a title affirmed by Pope Paul VI in 1964. Through her intercession, the Church is united to Christ, as Mary was the first to say "yes" to God and the first to follow Him completely. The Church, as the Body of Christ, looks to Mary as the perfect model of what it means to be a disciple.
On this solemn feast, we reflect not only on the importance of Mary in salvation history but also on how her example can inspire our lives. Mary teaches us how to live out our baptismal call to holiness. She points us to her Son and helps us grow in faith, hope, and love.
The Role of Mary in Kyrgyzstan
In Kyrgyzstan, where the Catholic Church is small but growing, Mary’s role as the Mother of God is a crucial aspect of the faith. The Catholic community in Kyrgyzstan looks to her for guidance and strength as they navigate the challenges of living out their faith in a secular country.
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*All articles in our blog are written with the help of ChatGPT AI and reviewed by human editors.