MARY, OUR MOTHER: 2026

Thursday, January 01, 2026

Your reflection from Fr. Joseph on the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

“AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM.”

Recently visiting a young family, I noticed their little girl sit on her mother’s lap with her right ear resting on her mother’s heart, as we adults carried on our conversation. I was taken by her contentment and wondered if listening to her mother’s heartbeat, in some way, was a comforting reminder of her time in the womb where she heard that heartbeat throughout her preborn life.

Jesus was such a child who listened to the heartbeat of Mary. And this time of the year we rightly see most frequently the Madonna and Child—for He was “born of a woman.” He did not pass through Mary as through a channel or a mere conduit. No! He was born OF her. He took His humanity FROM her. The blood in His veins came FROM her. Indeed, He must have resembled her.

Here are today's Mass readings:

Reading 1

Responsorial Psalm

Reading II

Gospel

Numbers 6:22-27

67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

Galatians 4:4-7

Luke 2:16-21

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The Child Jesus cherished Mary more than any child ever cherished their mother. As a Child, His Heart was always close to hers both physically and mystically. The Gospel relates that “Mary kept all these things reflecting on them in her heart.” Her heart was always reflecting on Him. How mistaken it is to diminish her unique privileges and profound dignity. She is the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

Child Jesus, help us to cherish Mary, Your Mother, the Mother of You who are God, as we contemplate Your Childhood and Your closeness to her heart and hers to Yours.

In the Child Jesus,

Fr. Joseph Mary

P.S. Visit our special page dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and be inspired to grow in devotion to the Mother of God.

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Quotes from 'The Glories of Mary':

‘I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head.’

(Gen. 3:15)

“Since the devil is the head of original sin, this head it was that Mary crushed: for sin never had any entry into the soul of this Blessed Virgin, which was consequently free from all stain.”

Saint Augustine

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PSALM 71 SPEAKS TO MY HEART

Forsake Me Not When My Strength Is Spent

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame!
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me, and save me!

Be to me a rock of refuge,
to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
you are he who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.

I have been as a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all the day.
Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
forsake me not when my strength is spent.

For my enemies speak concerning me;
those who watch for my life consult together
and say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue and seize him,
for there is none to deliver him.”

O God, be not far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
who seek my hurt.

But I will hope continually
and will praise you yet more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.

With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.
Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you?

You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.
You will increase my greatness
and comfort me again.

I will also praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy,
when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have redeemed.

And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,
for they have been put to shame and disappointed
who sought to do me hurt.

Thursday, January 01, 2026

Your reflection from Fr. Joseph on the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Here are today's Mass readings:

Reading 1

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