This new year, let’s look to the mother of the real P.O.P. – Mary the Mother of God

 

By Fr. Eurel Manzano, January 2012

 

   POP!  It’s the sound heard several times ‘round the world every time the New Year dawns.  From the POP of firecrackers, to the POP of champagne and sparkling wine, to the POP of waist buttons that have finally yielded to the added stress of holiday eats, the New Year is filled with that great onomatopoeia – POP!

 

   While the New Year is certainly a time for loud celebrations and joyous festivities, it should also be a time of quiet reflection. As the definitive celebration of the passing of time, many opportunities for such reflection abound:  How have I grown and matured as a person and in my spirituality over this past year? How has the Lord blessed my life this past year? What is He calling me to change? What are my desires for the upcoming year?

 

   It would be helpful, I think, amidst all these questions, hopes, thoughts, feelings, and desires, to turn our attention to the Mother of God, Mary, whom we celebrate at the start of the New Year.  Jan. 1, very first day of the very first month, is dedicated to Her. Surrounded by empty green champagne bottles and the blackened wires of sparklers that gave their all to make someone smile, we are asked to come and celebrate once more – to the celebration of the Mass to honor the Holy Mother of God.

 

   And why?  Because when we turn to Her, we find everything we are called to be. On the Octave Day (the final, eighth day) of the celebration of Christmas, we honor and ask intercession from the one whom God intentionally chose to be his mother – and ours. Away from the big POPs of glitz, glamour and mildly entertaining concerts and shows, we find Mary and are filled with a quiet joy that nothing in this world could ever equal. Finally a heart so Immaculate, a spirit so open to the Lord, that earth can finally receive her King.  As the opening prayer for that Mass says, it was Mary “through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life.”

 

   She is the blueprint of humanity – the way it’s supposed to be. In contrast to our saying, “No” to God’s plan for our life, she responded, “Yes”. In contrast to our search for personal honor and glory, she points only to her son, to whom all heavenly glory and honor rightfully belong.  In contrast to our harboring of resentments and ingratitude, she harbored God himself in her womb and bore Him forth into the World.

 

   As the New Year begins, make Mary the example of your life. See her as the model of spiritual maturity. See her as the model for giving thanks to God. She’s more than just a starring role in the Christmas play. She was chosen to be the Holy Mother of God – the mother of the author of life, the mother of the real P.O.P. – the Prince of Peace.