Daily Gospel Reflection for January 1, 2014

Today's Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

As we turn the page on our calendars and embark upon a New Year, I feel blessed beyond measure to share with you a new feature here at CatholicMom.com. For every day of 2014, a team of our writers will break open the day's gospel passage with us. We've invited them to prayerfully read the gospel passage and to share from their hearts. We hope that this feature will be an invitation for you to journey with us closer to Jesus Christ and his Church through the gift of the gospels. Each day, our writers will include a brief personal prayer and a question for you to ponder and to reflect upon. We welcome your comments on those "ponder" questions and invite you to use these reflections as a tool in your own New Evangelization by sharing them with loved ones and friends.

In today's gospel, perfect for this Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord and the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, Luke gives us a peek into that quiet, far-flung birthplace of our Savior. We learn that the shepherds, having just heard the Angels' miraculous message, went "in haste" to the place where Baby Jesus was lying in the manger. They couldn't wait to see the King for themselves, and to share with Mary and Joseph the amazing news they had heard from the angels.

We read in Luke's gospel that Mary "kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." Even then, Mary's "Yes" to God's will for her life played out in ways that are amazing to us! We then see the shepherds returning, giving glory to God for all they had seen -- surely changed for life.

As I read this passage, I claim a few of the action verbs in it as my watchwords for a well-lived 2014:

I want to "go in haste" to be close to my Lord.
I want to "make known" the message of his love and salvation.
I want to  "reflect in my heart" upon the goodness that God has showered upon me and my family.
I want to "glorify and praise" God in both word and deed.

As we begin this New Year, let's journey together to the Source of all Light with Mary's profound "Yes" as our guide.

Ponder:

In your daily life, how are you like the shepherds, who hasten to see Christ and who are anxious to share the Good News with all they meet? How does this gospel passage impact upon your desire to be a part of the New Evangelization?

Pray:

Baby Jesus, I desire to hasten to the warmth of your love and to share it with everyone I meet. Help me today and always to feel the joy of your embrace and to share that same love with those most in need of it. Amen

Copyright 2014 Lisa M. Hendey