This is the Sunday after Christmas and on this opportunity, we celebrate the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God as on January 1st of every year. Before starting this brief study of the Gospel of today, it’s worth it to say that this celebration has its origin from the earliest times due to the tile given by the early Church to Mary at the Council of Ephesus in 431, and that the Christians had the devotion to Mary under the title “Mother of God.”

The text of today places us again at the nativity of Jesus. The first ones who come close to Jesus are the shepherds of Bethlehem. They are considered part of the last or of the poorest of the town and many times are despised for this. The image of the shepherds that quickly go to the manger at the news of the birth of the Messiah reminds us of Mary who in the same quickly went at the news of the pregnancy of her cousin, Elizabeth. The shepherds rush because of human curiosity, to see someone so great that they have been announced, full of hope because now truly has been born the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord that all of the world is waiting for, and they are the first to be able see him.

And upon seeing him, they found him in the manger with his parents, Mary and Joseph. That is to say, they found the sign that the same angel had given them: “you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” This is a sign of recognition, a description of what could be seen in a glance. For the shepherds that had seen the resplendence of God over their fields, this sign is enough. They come from within. And this what they see: what the angel had said is true. The shepherds return with joy. They give glory and worship God for what they had seen and heard.

Mary profoundly lives these moments of her life with her son. In contrast, the reactions of admiration in the hubbub of the presents before the manger, the silence of Mary penetrates the meaning of what has happened. She precisely, to whom had been announced the great dignity of her son nine months before, now, after a long advent, has him before her eyes. “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”

The circumcision of Jesus is planned within the law of Israel. The eighth day is the day of circumcision. That’s how Jesus is formally welcomed in the community of the promises that come from Abraham. Now he is also, by law, part of the people of Israel.

Questions to remember biblical text: Who did the shepherds find when the arrived to the manger? And when they arrived, what did they say? How did those present react to this? How did Mary live this moment of her life? What did the shepherds do while returning?

MEDITATION: What does God say to us in the text?

Ask some questions to go deeper in this Word of Salvation:

What rushes Christians today in relation to things of God? And do I rish to get closer to Jesus in the same way as the shepherd of Bethlehem? What am I in a rush to do today, or what makes me “go back” and in the end, it’s not worth it? What has Jesus said to me? Do I remember how I met him? Who were the first who spoke to me of him or how he entered my heart? Do I remain close to Jesus and know him or do I go out like the shepherds did giving testimony to Jesus? What stops me from speaking of Jesus? What can I say about him and how can I do it? What does the image of Mary who keeps all things in her heart say to me? Do I get lost in the hustle and bustle that stops me from concentrating on the most important thing? What should I keep and meditate on in my heart? Do I make time to contemplate the things that I live daily, or the presence of God that passes in my life each day?

Do I live praise and thanksgiving as part of my spiritual life? What are the reasons I have to praise God today? And to give him thanks?

ORATION: ¿What do I say to God?

To pray is to respond to the Lord that speaks to us first. We want to hear his Saving Word. This Word is very different from the one the world offers us and now is the time to say something to the Lord.

You, baby Jesus, who has come to illuminate my darkness, let me understand and know that you are God. So small and so infinite. So humble and so powerful. So baffling and fitting to make me grow in Love.

You Lord, who are Peace, heals my heart of the wounds that come from resentment, grudges, hate, fear, and evil. Fill me with your peace and make my heart of stone a heart a flesh. Allow me to truly experience a new birth in the mercy of God the Father.

I want to be a messenger of peace, a herald of your Word, Lord. Be incarnate in me, Jesus. Your Words go from my mouth like arrows of love, sowing new life in sad and bleeding hearts. Heavenly Father, I want to be the light of the world so that all believe that you sent Christ to save us. Amen

Remain silent for a moment and reflect to respond to the Lord. Today we give thanks for his resurrection because it fills us with joy. Include your personal intentions.

CONTEMPLATION: How do I internalize the Word of God?

For your moment of contemplation, repeat this verse of the Gospel many times so that it may enter your life, your heart.

“Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Verse 19) Ask the Lord that you may be a witness of the resurrection so that others may believe.

ACTION: What do I promise God?

There should be a notable change in my life. If I don’t change, then I am not a true Christian.

Personally, I return to read the passage slowly. Today I promise to live this new year with the shepherds of Bethlehem present, that is to say, to grow ever closer to Jesus, to give witness to his person, and to praise him in thanksgiving. Add concrete acts of charity to this plan of your spiritual life.

In my group, we promise to be a coherent community in hou we live the Faith. In our group, we discuss and ask if we are authentically living the faith as Jesus asks us. We want to be like the shepherds, being the very “last,” who were the first to come close to Jesus. As an act of charity in the group, we will make a campaign, donating articles of new clothing to give to the needy.