January 1, 2021 SOLEMNITY OF THE BLESED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD-B

Numbers 6:22-27

Psalm 67

Galatians 4:4-7

Luke 2:16-21

May the Lord show you his face… Num. 6:26

Lord, each day you show me your face. Each day I can see you in the people I live with, work with and serve. A lot of the time, I’m not really conscious of your face or aware that you are presenting yourself to me.  Lord, I want so much to make good decisions about serving you and those you have put near me this year. Help me with the hard stuff, the difficult ones, who you send me. Lord, I know you will bless me tremendously this year—way beyond what I deserve. I trust you will be near in my joys and sorrows, my successes and failures, my strengths and weaknesses. Help me to treasure every moment of life, every encounter with you and every opportunity to grow in faith. Dear Jesus, whatever occurs in the coming year I pray for the grace to patiently ponder how you wish for me to respond to challenges before I act. I pray that I can respond as you wish and grow in holiness and full awareness of your presence and blessings. Thank you so much for everything—all that is good for me.  Mother Mary, pray for us.  Amen.