Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - Fr. Leo

“Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,  
born of a woman, born under the law,  
to ransom those under the law,  
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,  
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,  
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,  
and if a son then also an heir, through God.”

(Gal 4:4-7)

 Jesus, Son of God, was born to ransom us and make us sons and daughters of God. When we cry out “Abba, Father!”, we affirm ourselves as heirs of divinity through God’s adoption by the Holy Spirit that cries out within us.  Thus, we who know the Lord, are not slaves of God, but his chosen sons and daughters, called to share in the fullness of God’s eternal love.

Mary, as the Mother of God, made this possible because of her incorporation into God’s plan of salvation.  We are to follow her in our own ‘yes’ to God in the depths of our beings. When we accept God’s will, the Holy Spirit dwells in us and we too become the living fountain of the presence and love of God. 

As the saint of saints, Mary intercedes for us that we may be as open and faithful to the stirrings of the Spirit as she was.  As we begin this new calendar year,  let us dedicate ourselves to God through the intercession of Mary, that the gift she received may find a place in us as well.  Let us not hesitate to begin each day praying; Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you.  Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.  Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.