Every year, the Church gives us a gift as we begin the new year. She places us beside Mary and invites us to see her not only as the Mother of God but as our Mother as well. The Church invites us to open a space in our hearts to allow Mary to walk with us and guide us along our Christian journey, to follow her example as disciples of Jesus. What does that example look like?

In the Gospel, we see Mary being quietly present, holding Jesus close while the shepherds come running into the stable to see the newborn King. We can sense their excitement and almost hear their enthusiasm as they share stories about what they have seen and heard. IN that moment, notice the Blessed Mother; she doesn’t compete for attention, she doesn’t rush to speak. Instead, she sits there in wonder, she simply treasures it all and reflects on it in her heart. Her love is steady and patient, showing us that sometimes the greatest acts of care aren’t loud or dramatic. The greatest acts of love are usually shown in how people are faithfully present. Mary shows us that; she teaches us that being present, listening, and holding things close can be powerful ways to love.

And the beautiful part of Mary’s example here, this is not just how she mother’s Jesus…it’s how she mothers us. She stays near to Christ, and through him, she stays near to us, especially in those moments when life is confusing or overwhelming. She knows what it means to trust God when the future is uncertain, to carry hopes and fears silently in her heart, and to accept God’s will with courage.

In our second reading from the Letter to the Galatians, St. Paul reminds us that it is through Jesus that we are no longer slaves, instead, we’re children of God. We’re able to cry out Abba, Father. Jesus opens the door for us to have that deep, personal relationship with the Father. And so, if God is truly our Father, then Mary is truly our Mother. Her role was never incidental; God chose her specifically. He chose to come to humanity through her, and in doing so, He shows us that His love for us is tender, personal, and relational.

Then we hear about the blessing of God in the Book of Numbers. It speaks of God’s face shining upon His people, a blessing that becomes visible in Jesus. Think about this: Mary was the first to look upon that face, to hold him, protect him, and love him. She doesn’t stop there. She holds us the same way; she looks at us the same way. She continues to lead us to her Son, asking Him to bless us, heal us, and draw us closer to Himself.

As we step into this new year, we can trust that we are not walking alone. Mary walks with us, guiding us to Jesus, praying for us, and showing us what it means to be faithful. At some point over the next day or two, let’s intentionally place ourselves under Mary’s care, asking her to lead you closer to her Son, and to remember that as God’s beloved children, we have a Mother who never lets us go.

Photo: The Blessed Mother, Matea Gregg, For Greater Glory Photography. Used under Unsplash license.