Mother of God

Today, January 1st, is the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.

Jesus is 100% God (& 100% man) , Mary is Jesus's mother, and so Mary is the Mother of God.

The Priest at Mass today gave a really nice reflection on how we should focus during this upcoming year on developing our contemplative side and so deepen and strengthen our realtionship with God.

He said we should do this by imitating Mary who is described in Luke's Gospel as "treasuring all these things and pondering them in her heart" (regarding the angels' message to the Shepherds).

A good way to start is to take the Bible, and read one small section of the Gospels, and ponder it over. Think about what Jesus is saying to YOU through these words. Imagine He is speaking to you, and then speak back to Him. Use the words of the Gospel to gaze lovingly on Christ in your heart.

If you are Catholic, a lovely thing to do is to take the Gospel of the day (whether or not you can go to Mass that day) and then use that as the Gospel reading for the day. At the moment we are reading from the Gospel of Luke.

Click here for a webiste that gives you the Gospel reading of the day.

-

In other news.....Happy 2007!!

I can't believe it is already 2007! Goodness, I remember welcoming in the year 2000, and 7 years have already passed since then! wow! That's quite a long time!

I hope you had a nice evening! Chris & I stayed here at his parent's house (we aren't really the partying going-out-and-going-crazy types! I MUCH prefer being home and being quiet!)

We looked through some of his old family photos! It was so much fun!! haha!

We also prayed the Te Deum, which is a plenary indulgence if prayed on the last day of the year (as long as the other condition for a plenary indulgence are fulfilled...that is, sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intention of the Pope. Also there must be no attachment to sin, even venial sin).

Happy 2007!!

-