Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God [B]

Readings
Numbers 6:22-27
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21

Calendar
January 1: World Day of Prayer for Peace
January 8-14: National Migration Week 2006

Quotes
My greeting is one filled with hope for a more serene world, a world in which more and more individuals and communities are committed to the paths of justice and peace.
Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Day of Prayer for Peace 2006

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
ring out the narrowing lust of gold,
ring out the thousand wars of old,
ring in the thousand years of peace.
Alfred Lord Tennyson

Dear young people of every language and culture, a high and exhilarating task awaits you: that of becoming men and women capable of solidarity, peace and love of life, with respect for everyone. Become craftsmen of a new humanity, where brothers and sisters í¢â‚¬" members all of the same family í¢â‚¬" are able at last to live in peace.
Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Day of Prayer for Peace 2001

Peace remains possible. And if peace is possible, it is also a duty!
Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Day of Prayer for Peace 2004

Thoughts for Your Consideration
The type of blessing that is given in the book of Numbers is something that is meant to be shared with the whole human community. It is a hopeful blessing for the whole world community.

The birth of a child is a sign of hope í¢â‚¬" hope not just for the parents and immediate family, but also for the whole community. The life of Mary of Nazareth is a sign of hope í¢â‚¬" not just because her faith made her holy, but also because it says something to us all.

The Solemnity of Mary is a sign of hope to the world.

It is a sign that we can give birth to a new vision í¢â‚¬"the vision of Jesus in the world í¢â‚¬" a vision of Justice and Peace í¢â‚¬" a vision of freedom and liberation from oppression í¢â‚¬" a vision of social change and concern for the common good í¢â‚¬" a vision of a world without racism and prejudice - a vision of a world that respects ethnic and racial diversity í¢â‚¬" a vision of God present in the poor child and the holy young woman of Nazareth í¢â‚¬" a vision of God to be found in all the people and things of our world and especially among the poor.

* * *

Pope Benedict's Message for the World Day for Peace, reminds us of many important aspects of the quest for peace in our world.

In some way it is review of important themes in Catholic Social Teaching. In particular he reminds us:

• Peace "must be brought about by humanity in its thirst for ever more perfect justice."

• All people are members of one and the same family. An extreme exaltation of differences clashes with this fundamental truth.

• International humanitarian law ought to be considered as one of the finest and most effective expressions of the intrinsic demands of the truth of peace.

• To try to impose on others by violent means what we consider to be the truth is an offence.

• We are called to place ourselves at the service of peace in broad cooperation with other Christians, the followers of other religions and with all men and women of good will.

• The truth of peace requires that all í¢â‚¬" whether those governments which openly or secretly possess nuclear arms, or those planning to acquire them í¢â‚¬" agree to change their course by clear and firm decisions, and strive for a progressive and concerted nuclear disarmament.

• Poor countries have the right to demand the concrete implementation of their right to development.

In the gospel the shepherds come to see the child in the lying in the manger.

This child is a concrete image of the peace to which God calls us í¢â‚¬" a peace that contrasts with all the images of power, weaponry, and violence that prevail in our world.

Actions í¢â‚¬" Links

• A longer summary of Pope Benedict XVI's World Day of Peace Message, and the entire message, can be found at: http://www.coc.org/bin/view.fpl/1200/article/2742.html. The theme of this year's message is: "In Truth, Peace." You can read Pope John Paul's previous World Day of Peace message at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/messages/peace/index.htm

• National Migration Week is January 8-14. The USCCB Office for Migration and Refugee Services website is at: http://www.usccb.org/mrs/ The theme for this year's National Migration Week is "Journey to Justice." http://www.usccb.org/mrs/nmw.shtml Justice for Immigrants: The Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform, is at: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/

Prayers
"O God, all holy one, you are our Mother and our Father and we are your children. Open our eyes and our hearts so that we may be able to discern your work in the universe. And be able to see Your features in every one of Your children. May we learn that there are many paths but all lead to You. Help us to know that you have created us for family, for togetherness, for peace, for gentleness, for compassion, for caring, for sharing.

"May we know that You want us to care for one another as those who know that they are sisters and brothers, members of the same family, Your family, the human family. Help us to beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks, so that we may be able to live in peace and harmony, wiping away the tears from the eyes of those who are less fortunate than ourselves. And may we know war no more, as we strive to be what You want us to be: Your children. Amen."
Desmond M. Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa

* * *
Lord, our God,

let there be peace in the world,
no more wars,
no more fighting,
no more killing.

Teach us to trust one another so we can share
our problems as well as our joys.
Teach us to care about one another and to
understand each other.

Teach world leaders to respect all people,
especially their own.
Help us to make peace wherever we are and to do
our small bit to bring peace to the world.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen
posted by a 6th grade class in Australia on their homepage
http://www.schools.ash.org.au/stkierans-manly/Classes/Yr6/6B/Prayer/peace.htm

* * *
We ask you, Queen of Peace, to help us respond with the power of truth and love to the new and unsettling challenges of the present moment. Help us also to pass through this difficult period, that disturbs the serenity of so many people, and to work without delay to build every day and everywhere a genuine culture of peace.
John Paul II