From the Gospel according to 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.

In the Heart

Happy New Year! Today a new year begins, and what better way to start it than hand in hand with the Virgin Mary, celebrating her Divine Motherhood.

God has just been born in Bethlehem. Let us hurry there like the shepherds, with poor and humble hearts, to adore Him and glorify Him, with the firm intention of continuing to do so every day of the new year that is beginning.

Let us always turn to our Mother, who kept all things in her Immaculate Heart, and learn from her to look upon our spouse with a welcoming gaze — embracing them in everything, resisting the temptation to reject their differences, and keeping in our heart what we do not understand, so as to ponder the greatness of our sacrament, which always leads us to Jesus.

Brought into Married Life:

Andrew: Mary, you seem a bit serious — has something happened?

Mary: Yes, Andrew. I’m a little upset by the comments your siblings made yesterday.

Andrew: Don’t take it to heart. They said things that weren’t entirely true.

Mary: I know, but they can’t just let themselves go and exaggerate things, taking them out of context.

Andrew: I know — they went too far. But we can’t hold it against them. I’ve already spoken to them; they realised it and apologised. And honestly, it didn’t bother me that much. It only gives me reason to pray a bit more for them, so that it doesn’t happen again.

Mary: Andrew, you’re wonderful. You have such a big heart. Despite what they said about you, you didn’t hold it against them. I feel very grateful to be your wife.

Andrew: Don’t exaggerate. I can’t get angry over things that aren’t true. Besides, if I’d defended myself, I would only have given them more reason to carry on. Sometimes it’s better to keep quiet and let things pass without giving them importance.

Mary: You’re right. Many times it’s better to keep these things in our heart and not dwell on them. Criticising and judging is the easy option.

Andrew: Then let’s smile and carry on celebrating Christmas — that’s what matters most right now.

Mother,

Help us to place in our heart what we do not understand, to offer it for our spouse and to lay it at the feet of your Son in the manger. Glory and praise be to God who has been born in Bethlehem.