SOLEMNITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD
January 1st. World Peace Day
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La  Dolorosa. El Greco.Today we celebrate the feast of the maternity of the Mother of God. The Church wants us to begin the year looking at Mary, who kept all things about Jesus in her heart: Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart (Lk 2:19).

We could say many things about Mary, praising her dignity as Mother of God, but this theme will appear often during this new year. For this reason, I have thought that it was more appropriate to talk of Mary as Queen of Peace, and of Jesus as Prince of Peace, since today is the day of prayer for Peace.

The message of Jesus in these Christmas feasts is a message of peace: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests (Lk 2:14).

Jesus often speaks of Peace and recommends it. Let us mention some examples.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus says: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Mt 5:9).

Jesus asks us to make peace with our brothers and sisters: If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Mt 5:23-24).

Jesus tells his disciples to wish peace on entering a house: Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household' (Lk 10:5).

Jesus said to the woman afflicted with hemorrhages: Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace (Lk 8:48).

Jesus in, during the last supper, said: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (Jn 14:27).

John Paul II says that if you want peace, then you should reach out to the poor, since many people, even whole countries, live today in extreme poverty: Somalia, Rwanda, Zaire, for example. He also recalls the war in Afghanistan, in the old Yugoslavia, the drug problem, the migration movements, xenophobia and violence, together with unemployment, specially among the young people. The pope concludes by saying that the respect to human rights is the secret for Peace.

The birth of the Prince of Peace.In the face of all these problems, we all ask ourselves: What can we do? If we are realistic, the answer is that, we, personally, besides praying, can’t do much. But it is true that in many circumstances and moments in life we can put the words of Jesus into practice.

The first peace that we have to obtain, is peace with God. If you are in sin, you cannot have inner peace. I do not want to insist on this subject, because I believe that all you, in these Christmas feasts, have put yourselves at peace with God.

We are peacemakers when we overcome our pride, our envy, our lusts, etc. War is a consequence of sin. Saints have been the great peacemakers.

When we help our brethren, when you do a favour to your brother, you become a peacemaker. Jesus, in the wedding at Cana, brought peace. What would have happened if the had been no more wine? (Jn 2:1): Criticisms, murmurs, looking for those responsible, etc.

When some person insults us or speaks badly of us, or responds to us in a bad manner, and we are able to shut up, then we are peacemakers.

Many discussions would disappear if we knew to shut up, although we may be right.

You bring peace when you know to overlook the defects of your brother or sister and you know to forgive and to forget. Some people say: I forgive but I don’t forget.

Jesus pardoned the adulteress and said to her to go in peace.

You bring peace when you see that your brother is mistaken and is going on the wrong way, and you have the courage to tell him that his conduct is not correct.

To offer pardon and peace is a sign of being a good Christian.

Everything we can and must do, we have to do with a reconciled and reconciling heart.

We can bring peace in many ways. Let us bring and work for peace in the family, at work, with friends, neighbours. It would not be correct to worry about the peace of those who are far, and not about the peace of those who are near to us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR ALL!


TO BEGIN THE YEAR

Jesus doesn’t have hands;

he only has our hands

to carry out his work today.

Jesus doesn’t have feet,

he only has our feet

to guide men on his way.

Jesus doesn’t have lips;

he only has our lips

to speak about him to men.

Jesus doesn’t have any help;

he only has our help

to gather men around him.

We are the only Bible

that people can still read.

We are the last message from God

written on facts and words.

(A text of 14th century).