Reflection for Thursday January 1 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God: Luke 2:16-21

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.

All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

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Reflection:

Amidst the joy and celebration of the people around her, the Blessed Mother remained silent. In the stillness of her heart, she pondered deeply the miracle that had unfolded before her. Surely, among the many things she reflected upon was this profound mystery—that she had been chosen to become the Mother of God.

Perhaps, in her quiet prayer, she asked herself, “Why was I given this great honor—to become the mother of the Messiah?” And perhaps this same question rises within our own hearts: among so many women of her time, why Mary and not others? Why did God choose her?

Indeed, God works in mysterious ways. He acts not according to human logic, but according to His divine will.

We experience this mystery in our own lives as well. Sometimes we find ourselves in places we never imagined—in a vocation, a responsibility, or a situation we never planned for, not even in our wildest dreams. We may ask ourselves why we are here, why we were led down this path. Yet, in faith, we come to realize that God has placed us where we are today for a reason. Nothing in our lives is accidental in the eyes of God.

Like Mary, when we pause to reflect deeply, we begin to recognize the weight and beauty of the responsibilities entrusted to us. The Blessed Mother embraced her calling with her whole heart. With humility and love, she raised Jesus to become a man for others, not a man only for Himself—a life poured out in self-giving love.

We, too, are called to serve in different fields of endeavor—whether in the vineyard of the Lord or in other areas of life. Wherever God has planted us, He calls us to recognize our responsibilities and to live them faithfully. Not with arrogance or brashness, but with humility, obedience, and gentleness. Not for our own glory, but for the good of others and for the greater glory of God.

As we reflect on Mary’s silent faith and generous yes, let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to trust God’s mysterious ways, embrace the responsibilities He has given us, and allow our lives—like Mary’s—to become a gift for others? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Huwebes Enero 1 Dakilang Kapistahan ni Maria Ina ng Diyos: Lucas 2:16-21

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:16-21

Noong panahong iyon: nagmamadali silang lumakad patungong Betlehem at nakita nila sina Maria at Jose at ang sanggol na nakahiga sa sabsaban. Kaya't isinaysay nila ang mga sinabi ng anghel tungkol sa sanggol na ito; at nagtaka ang lahat ng nakarinig sa sinabi ng mga pastol.

Natanim sa isip ni Maria ang mga bagay na ito at kanyang pinagbulay-bulay. Umalis ang mga pastol na nagpupuri sa Diyos at nagpapahayag ng kanyang kadakilaan dahil sa lahat ng narinig nila at nakita na ayon sa ibinalita sa kanila ng anghel.

Pagdating ng ikawalong araw ay tinuli ang bata at pinangalanang Hesus – ang pangalang ibinigay ng anghel bago pa siya ipinaglihi.

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Repleksyon:

Sa gitna ng kagalakan at pagdiriwang ng mga tao sa paligid niya, nanatiling tahimik ang Mahal na Birhen. Sa katahimikan ng kanyang puso, taimtim niyang pinagbulayan ang himalang naganap sa kanyang harapan. Tiyak na isa sa kanyang pinagnilayan ay ang dakilang hiwagang siya ay pinili upang maging Ina ng Diyos.

Marahil, sa kanyang taimtim na panalangin, naitanong niya sa sarili, “Bakit ako ang binigyan ng ganitong dakilang karangalan—ang maging Ina ng Mesiyas?” At marahil, ito rin ang tanong na sumisibol sa ating mga puso: sa dami ng kababaihan noong kanyang panahon, bakit si Maria at hindi ang iba? Bakit siya ang pinili ng Diyos?

Tunay ngang mahiwaga ang mga paraan ng Diyos. Siya ay kumikilos hindi ayon sa kaisipan ng tao, kundi ayon sa Kanyang banal na kalooban.

Ganito rin ang ating karanasan. May mga pagkakataong natatagpuan natin ang ating mga sarili sa mga kalagayan at tungkuling hindi natin kailanman inakalang mapapasukan—hindi man lamang ito sumagi sa ating isipan, kahit sa ating mga pinakamatitinding pangarap.

Nagtatanong tayo kung bakit narito tayo, kung bakit tayo inilagay sa ganitong landas ng buhay. Ngunit sa liwanag ng pananampalataya, napagtatanto natin na inilagay tayo ng Diyos sa ating kinaroroonan sa isang mabuting dahilan. Walang nagaganap sa ating buhay na hindi batid ng Diyos.

Tulad ng Mahal na Ina, kapag tayo ay tumigil at taimtim na magnilay, unti-unti nating nauunawaan ang bigat at ganda ng mga pananagutang ipinagkatiwala sa atin. Tinanggap ni Maria ang kanyang bokasyon nang buong puso. Sa kababaang-loob at pag-ibig, pinalaki niya si Hesus upang maging isang taong para sa kanyang  kapwa—hindi lamang para sa Kanyang sarili—isang buhay na inialay para sa iba.

Tayo man ay nasa iba’t-ibang larangan ng paglilingkod—sa ubasan ng Panginoon o sa iba pang landas ng buhay. Saan man tayo inilagay ng Diyos, tayo ay tinatawag na kilalanin at isabuhay ang ating mga obligasyon sa Diyos at sa ating kapwa. Nang may kababaang-loob, pagsunod, at pag-ibig. Hindi para sa ating sariling kapurihan, kundi para sa kabutihan ng kapwa at sa higit na kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.

Sa ating pagninilay tanungin natin ang ating mga sarili: Handa ba tayong magtiwala sa mahiwagang mga paraan ng Diyos? — Marino J. Dasmarinas