Word to the Wise
Wednesday, January 1, 2020 - Jan. 1: The Octave Day of Christmas: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God - ABC
[Num 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21]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! [Numbers]
One of the titles given to Mary (besides the profound one of this feast) is "Queen of Peace." The blessing from the Book of Numbers which the first scripture of this day features expresses the desire for peace that so many long for aat the beginning of this day. Our own country, let alone many others, is at war. Domestic violence, fueled by drugs or political or religious ideologies seems to afflict much of the globe. Can there be no end to it?
The task seems overwhelming in our time. What can any one of us do to bring about world peace? We can bless one another, as in the Book of Numbers, with God's peace but that peace must find an expression in our own ways of life. A popular hymn, 'LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH, has the line, "Let peace begin with me. Let this be the moment now...." Our prayers may include Mary the Mother of God, but her title of Queen of Peace can make her our prayer partner on this day. Indeed, may the Lord look upon us kindly and give us peace! Let it be our New Year's resolution. AMEN