Thursday 1^st January – Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

Reflection: Luke 2:16-21

RESOLUTIONS: SET YOUR PRIORITIES RIGHT

Happy New Year, dear friends. As the New Year begins most of us have made new resolutions; we may have resolved to change old habits; to study more; to be gentler or friendlier etc. However the greatest resolution we can make this year is to live to please God every day and every moment of the year; to resolve to allow Christ be delivered through us to the world. Our resolutions are largely products of our priorities.

Today, the Church commemorates the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God who placed the ‘will of God’ above all her personal plans and desires and thus gave her fiat, ‘let it be done to me according to your words’. Our Blessed Mother was certain that He who created her will take care of her and guide her path. Though, she was chosen for this great task even before her conception, she still needed to submit to God’s will to fulfil her purpose. God has created each of us for a good purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). However, He needs our free will to cooperate with Him to achieve their purpose.

Many of us are afraid of surrendering all to God. We are afraid that we will lose the freedom to enjoy our lives. However, the reverse is the case, for it is only in God that we can ever find the fullness of life (John 10:10), true freedom and rest for our souls. We were not there when God created us and chose our parents, family and nationality. Thus, no matter how well we plan our lives, there is One who knows it best – our Creator. Hence we should not be afraid to hand over the wheel of our lives to Him to steer.

Beloved, if you have not made your resolutions for the year, it’s not too late. If you have made them without Christ priority, then you need to review them now. When the Lord is our shepherd there is nothing we can fear in the journey of 2015. Let us strive to be among the sheepfold of God that His blessings may always be upon us.

PRAYER:  Lord help me that the decisions and steps I take daily may be directed by the love of you. Amen

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 284 – Why are the Beatitudes so important?

Those who yearn for the kingdom of God look to Jesus’ list of priorities: the Beatitudes.

HIDE A TREASURE: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” Psalm 23:1 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 67:2 – 8, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:16-21