January 1, 2019 Monday SOLEMNITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD-C

Numbers 6:22-27

Psalm 67

Galatians 4:4-7

Luke 2:16-21

The Lord bless you and keep you! Num. 6:24

And Mary kept all these things, reflection on them in her heart.  Lk. 2:19

Lord, Happy New Year!  You have brought me to another year of life.  A year to continue to experience your presence, mercy and love.  A year to grow in faith, hope and charity.  It is a good way to start this year by reflecting on your Mother, Mary.  She was told by the shepherds what they had heard about you from the angel: that a Savior had been born in the town of David.  As Mary pondered this and all the other events she grew in understanding of who you were and your destiny.  Being named Jesus, “God Saves”, she must have been so  grateful to be so blessed among women.  As the mother of a king she became a queen.  Lord, may I, like Mary, ponder all your great mysteries in my heart.  May I grow in my awareness of your presence and may I trust in you more each day.  You learned so much from your mother as you grew.  I want to learn to pray to you more humbly, trust more fully and believe completely.  May I learn from her wisdom and rely on her intercession as I ponder all these things in my heart.  Amen.