Full of grace

Virgin Mary Mother of God

We are still during Christmas Time, and today, the first day of the year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Theotokos. If one were to describe Mary in a few words, one would say that she always kept herself near to God and did God’s will. We are encouraged to use Mary as our model, and today’s Gospel gives us a hint of how Mary managed to live a saintly life.

We have already reflected upon this Gospel, last week, since it is the same passage from Luke’s Gospel, when the shepherds visit the Holy Family, after the angels announce the birth of the Messiah. Another sentence is included, that about the circumcision and the naming of Jesus. Last week’s reflection concentrated on the shepherds, today we will speak about Mary.

“Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Mary used to reflect on and think about events which happened and those that were happening. She meditated upon them. It was because of her, that Jesus became fully human. It is, therefore, Mary, who brought Jesus to us. We said that we are to use Mary as an example of how to live. Do we bring Jesus to others? To our families? Mary used to think and reflect. We live a rushed life; we dash from one thing to another. Do we have time to stop and think about what is happening and see the hand of God, through all these happenings? Mary did not meditate, because she had a lot of time on her hands. Mary reflected because she made the time in her daily routine. This is what we are to do too, or else we cannot realise that God is with us (Emmanuel).

Mary did not understand fully what God was asking of her. However, her reflections and meditations, helped her to say “yes.” We too, need to ‘keep all these things in our hearts’ and trust God, even if we do not understand. Mary was “full of grace,” the more we open up to God’s will and accept it, the more we will be filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, like Mary was. 

When we pray the rosary, and we announce the mystery, whilst saying the ‘Hail Marys’ we are meant to meditate upon that mystery. This is one of the aims of this prayers. Each mystery helps us to reflect upon what happened, how this affects us and how it can help us, so that like Mary we too say “yes” to what God is asking of us.

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 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.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. Today it’s the beginning of a new year, wherever you are and whatever the state you are in, today stop from whatever you are doing and ask God to bless you and your family, if you wish, open up your heart to God and tell him about your present situation.
  4. Many make new resolutions at this time of year. Why not make the rosary your resolution? You may even pray one mystery every day with your family. Stop, think, and talk about the mystery you are praying.
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare;
    i. The Bible reading from St Luke (2, 16-21)
    ii. Statue, icon or picture of Mary
    iii. Cover the table with a white clot
    iv. A computer/laptop with the readings and clips
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested).
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊 
  9. Go to the Prayer Corner section to continue praying as a family. 

Today is the first day of the year and it is the feast of Jesus’ mummy.

  • Mary helps us to love Jesus and to become more like him

Who was Mary? (the mother of Jesus)

What did Mary do, as Jesus’ mother? (she loved him, she cared for him, she cooked, she washed the clothes, she played with him …)

Do you remember the last sentence of today’s Gospel? (Mary and Joseph named the little boy, Jesus)

Do you know that the name Jesus, means ‘God saves’?

Do you know why mummy and daddy gave you your name? Ask them if it means something, or they may have named you after a saint or someone, like your grandparents, for example.

We know that Mary, was the mother of Jesus. What else do you know about Mary? (give the children time to answer)

We do not find many stories about Mary, in the Bible. However, from what is written, we know that:

  • She said “yes” to God, and she obeyed God
  • She was the one who knew Jesus most, because she was his mother
  • Mary is our mother too. Jesus gave her to us, as our mother.

Do you have a picture of Our Lady in your bedroom? If you do not have one, colour this one. Decorate it as you wish and put it in your room. Before going to sleep, speak with Mary and tell her about your day. Ask her to help you to become like her son, Jesus. You may also put flowers in front of her.

Sign of the Cross.

Jesus gave us Mary to be our mother, however he also gave us a mummy, daddy and other people, like grandparents, to love us and take care of us. Today pray to Our Lady and ask her to take care of these people who love you and take care of you.

Thank you, Jesus, for giving me your mother, to be my mummy too. Thank you also for (the children name those persons who love them and take care of them). Holy Mary please take care of these special people and help them so that they continue teaching me about your son, Jesus. Amen. 
Sing the prayer, Hail Mary.

Guess what, today we will be listening to the same Gospel as last week. Do not worry, it is not a mistake!

  • Mary always obeyed God
  • A statue of Mary
  • Flowers
  • A candle
  • If you do not have a statue, icon or picture of Mary, the children can colour this one

Today, the first day of the year, we celebrate Mary, as the mother of God. 

How did she become the mother of God? (when angel Gabriel asked her, she said ‘yes’)

When Mary said “yes”, she was obeying God, she was doing as God wished. Did Mary always obey God? (yes)

What are some of the things, God wishes you to do? (obey, help others, love others, pray, be a good friend, forgive …)

Is it always easy to obey God? (no)

Mary helps us and shows us what we are to do. In today’s Gospel, there is this sentence, “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart,” and also, “When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel.”

Mary used to think about the things which happened to her, and she asked God to help her. Therefore, Mary teaches us that we are to pray about the things which happen to us. For example, before going to sleep, you can talk with God and tell him about the things you did, about what happened during the day, the good and the bad things which happened. Thank God for the good things and ask God to help you in the difficult and bad ones.

When Mary and Joseph, named their son, Jesus, they were obeying God. This is what they were told by the angel. It could very well be that Mary did not understand why she had to use that name, she might have wanted to give him another name; however, since she loved God and trusted God, she obeyed and named her baby, Jesus. Like Mary, we do not always understand why God asks us to do certain things. For example, if some one lies about us, why shouldn’t we lie about them too? However, if like Mary, we love and trust God, we do not do what we wish, but what God wants, even when we do not understand why.

The Gospel says, “when eight days were completed.” This was one of the laws at the time. Circumcision was asked for. Mary and Joseph obeyed. What are some of the rules, God asks us to obey? (the commandments, the beatitudes) 

When we obey and do as God asks, we will be disciples of Jesus. When we find it difficult to be disciples of Jesus, we should pray to his mother. When we pray the Hail Mary, this is what we are asking (pray for us sinners, now).
Since today it is Mary’s feast day, today and during the coming week, think more about her and ask her to help you. If you have a statue of Mary or a picture, put it where you meet as a family. Put flowers and a light a candle, in front of Mary. Gather as a family each day, and after praying silently for your needs, say one mystery of the rosary. If you do not have a statue or picture of Mary, you may colour one yourself.

Say the prayer in front of the statue/picture of Mary

Sign of the cross

After praying one mystery of the rosary, listen to this song, Oh Mary, Mother of God.

coming soon.

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.