Sunday January 1st: The depths of sorrow and heights of joy

‘But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart’

Luke 2: 16-21

New mothers treasure everything about their new babies. One can only imagine how Mary felt when the shepherds arrived with their amazing stories. She surely would have treasured the words and pondered them in her heart. She could not understand from the beginning everything that would follow.

The popular song ‘Mary Did You Know” is filled with great promise that enters into great pain. Like the words of the angel, this child’s arrival is good news to all. But how does one comprehend anticipating the depths of sorrow and the heights of joy? Mary experienced the gamut of emotions in her life: from great joy to confusion as well as great sorrow or loss.

Our Holy Mother teaches us that we must be open to God’s Will in our lives, even during difficult times and when we no longer feel his presence. Being always open and receptive to the will of God prepared her for the mission of being the Mother of God.

In our life, God is also speaking constantly through our circumstances. Our own stories of salvation are being unravelled every day. Blessed Mother, pray that we are receptive and open.