Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

Journey with Joseph through the daily Scripture readings!

1/1/20253 min read

January 1, from the 14th century onwards, was celebrated as the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord, commemorating his circumcision on the 8th day (octave) after his birth, in accord with Jewish law to bring a newborn son into the old covenant. In 1969, the Church's liturgical reforms changed today's feast's title to highlight Mary's role in God's plan of salvation as the Theotokos (cf. Council of Ephesus in 431 AD), though the Scripture readings remain essentially the same and still focus on Jesus' circumcision. For example, today's Gospel (Luke 2:16-21) tells us how the shepherds found in Bethlehem (House of Bread!) Mary & Joseph with the infant Messiah lying in the manger as the prophesy foretold and "Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart" as did Joseph! In fact, "When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus..." by his father, Joseph, according to Jewish law (Mt 1:21 "you are to give him the name Jesus"). So, we know from this first Gospel on this first day of the year that silent Saint Joseph said at least one word - that one word at which every knee shall bend: Jesus!

And in this one word, silent Joseph said everything! In fact, in today's Gospel Acclimation, said just before the Gospel, we hear this "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son" (Heb 1:1-2). So just as God the Father only needed to speak but one word, Jesus who is the Eternal Word of God (John 1:1), so too silent Joseph needed to speak only one word: Jesus! As Joseph is the earthly shadow (Umbra Patris) of God the Father to God the Son, it is fitting that Joseph would be silent in Scripture for in a real sense no other word is needed after speaking the word Jesus (Yeshua means "God saves!").

In today's second reading (Gal 4:4-7) we hear, "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." The hypostatic union was the "fullness of time" and no man was closer to this sublime event than Joseph, second only to Mary.

On this first day of the year, Mother Church puts before our eyes the profound topic of fatherhood. Fatherhood is to be contemplated. Jesus, who called Joseph 'abba, father' - as any Jewish baby boy would - taught that through Christ we can call God "Abba, Father!" Here we get a first glimpse on the first day of the year that our loving God gave us not only Mary as a model mother and Joseph as a model father, but God also is telling us His divine plan is about divine filiation: to become children of God!

In today's first reading (Num 6:22-27) when we hear "The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!" we can easily apply these words to Joseph, for God let his face shine upon Joseph and Mary in the holy home of Nazareth for nearly 30 years! Talk about being blessed and letting the Lord be "gracious to you!" And when we hear "invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them" that is precisely what Joseph, the man who named the Messiah, did! And Jesus, who is God the Son come in the flesh, blessed Mary and Joseph more than any other Christians in history for they also were given the most important mission in salvation history.

As today's feast's title has already changed twice, perhaps the third time will be the charm and it could be called the feast of the Naming of Messiah by Joseph and Mary! It is fitting that we see the Holy Family together on the first day of the liturgical year because as Emmanuel (God with us!) came to us through the human family, it is fitting that we likewise go to God through the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Indeed, Mary and Joseph were the first, best, and closest disciples of Christ and for us they also serve as the model married couple and the model mother and model father for all Christians. God the Son knew what he was doing when he selected Mary and Joseph from all human history to be his biological mother and his non-biological, virgin father.