In today’s Gospel Mary, the Mother of God, serves as a model for how we are invited to hear the Word of God. The Evangelist Luke tells us that Mary, after she had heard all the amazing things being said about her child, “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Like Mary, you and I are also called upon to reflect on the meaning of the Gospel each day. Sometimes we are not sure what God is about but following Mary’s example we keep “all these things, reflecting on them.”
St. Paul guides our reflection in today’s second reading. Paul tells us that the Gospel proclaims that “God sent his Son, born of a woman.” God sent Jesus into the world “that we might receive adoption.” Paul asks us to reflect on how we address God in prayer: “God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’”. Paul asks us to reflect on what it means that we address God as “Abba, Father”? It means that we are adopted daughters and sons of God and heirs.
In Jesus’ native language of Aramaic, the word for father is Abba. It is an intimate and endearing term, one that expresses closeness and informality. The translation “father” is perhaps too formal, dad or pop may be better. Jesus teaches us how to pray and how to address God as he himself prays: “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” (Mark 14:36). Jesus wants us to have this same close, informal and intimate relationship with God since we are adopted daughters and sons of God. We too pray like Jesus: “Abba…your will be done.”
A new year brings new beginnings, a new time to discover God who “walks with us on the journey of our life.” God whom we call Abba. God who calls us his daughters and sons. Let us take time to reflect on these great mysteries as we begin a new year.
Image: “CARAVAGGIO Rest during the flight from Egypt, detail of Mary and Jesus, c1597” by carulmare is licensed under CC BY 2.0.