Homily/Reflection/History for New Year's Day Mass/January 01, 2024/ Solemnity of Mary: Mother of God

   / @ryanjimenez4589   This is the homily/reflection/history of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. On this 1st day of the year, God has given us Mary, the mother-disciple of Jesus, as our role model on how to be a real disciple of Jesus. A disciple is the one who listens and does the word of God. Mary listens to God and she puts it into practice. the DIVINE MOTHERHOOD of Mary, January 1st is the Solemnity of Mary as Mother of God The basic message of the Gospels was to show that the God of Israel was present in Jesus. Son of God, Lord, Messiah Identity of Jesus and Mary The New Testament is consistent in presenting Mary as the mother of Jesus. Theotokos The expression “Mother of God” as such is not found in the Bible. However we read clearly in Scriptures that Jesus is the Son of God and that Mary is the mother of Jesus. An expression that has a necessary connection to what is clearly stated in the Scripture. Recognition of Divine Motherhood Insistence of the Fathers of the Church that Jesus who was God had truly become human. The best guarantee of authentic, real humanity was having a human mother in Mary. The significant reference to Mary in the early church as the “Theotokos” Ancient Baptismal Liturgy Do you believe in Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who was born by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary? Apostolic Traditions of St Hippolytus (215/217) Early Fathers of the Church Ignatius of Antioch (d 115): Jesus is Son of Mary and Son of God. (Ephesians) In regard to our Lord, that He was truly born of the Virgin. (Smyrneans) To disprove the Docetists who denied the reality of Jesus’ body, the Church began to reflect more on the role of Jesus’ human parent Mary. Having a mother is the best guarantee of being truly and really human. Early Councils Nicea I: “He was made flesh and became man.” Constantinople I: “He was made flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary.” Earliest Known Prayer to Mary We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Sub Tuum Praesidium Theotokos Theotokos derives from the Greek terms: Theos / 'God'; and tiktein / 'to give birth'. Literally it means “the one who gave birth to God.” “the one who bore God in her womb” Latin: Dei Genitrix, Deipara, Mater Dei Tagalog: nagdadalang-tao “nagdadalang-Diyos” The use of the title was challenged and questioned in the fourth century. The Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in 431 clarified the doctrine on Christ. The Council declared that in Christ there are two natures, one divine and one human, but only one person. Jesus was not born first of Mary as an ordinary man and only afterwards did the Word descend upon him. Chalcedon’s Definition We unanimously teach to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in divinity and perfect in humanity… The same was begotten from the Father before the ages as to the divinity and in the latter days for us and our salvation as to his humanity from Mary the Virgin Mother of God (Theotokos). Other Councils Constantinople II (553): confirmed Ephesus, condemning those who call Mary, mother of man and does not confess her as truly and really Mother of God. Constantinople III (681): Mary is properly and truly the Mother of God according to humanity Vatican II (1965): Lumen Gentium VIII uses expression 12 times! Mary’s Divine Motherhood was not the object of an independent or exclusive dogmatic declaration. The statement is embedded in texts defining the person and natures of Jesus Christ. The dogma of Divine Motherhood is understood as an integral part of the dogma on Jesus Christ. Guardian of the Incarnation The doctrine of motherhood is inseparable from that of the Incarnation. To deny divine motherhood is to deny the doctrine of the Incarnation. To question the Incarnation amounts to a denial of divine motherhood. The dogma of divine motherhood was like a seal for the Church upon the truth of the Incarnation. “Redemptoris Mater” It was the Son of God’s free choice to come as savior of humanity. Mary accepted the task of giving birth to him who is to be Savior. Her YES to motherhood was a yes to her Son’s saving work. Associate of the Redeemer Mary made herself a participant of this plan when she accepted. From the Incarnation and for ever afterwards, she linked her destiny with his Son Jesus, by a “close and indissoluble bond.” Mother of the Savior Mary’s maternal yes has a saving dimension, because by her maternal consent she identified herself completely with the fulfillment of our redemption by Her Son. Mother of the Savior She contributed to our redemption by her free and conscious consent. Mary was not passively engaged by God, but freely cooperated in the work of salvation through her faith and obedience. (LG, 56) #ReflectiononJanuary1st #MaryMotherofGod,Theotokos