Listen to the homily here:
I recently ran across the story of Ben Breedlove of Austin, who died a few years back at the age of 14. He was born with a defective heart and came close to death several times. Shortly before he died, he did a video of his life which ended with a story of almost dying and seeing in a white room his favorite rapper and feeling very good. He concluded with, “Do you believe in angels and God? I do!”
Despite Ben’s own sickness he gave encouragement to so many and in the process to himself. He cared enough to share in such a positive way with others even as he was in his final days of life. At a moment when most people are cared for by others he reversed the narrative.
I am remembering this remarkable young man as we all end such a difficult pandemic year. So many have suffered. We have also seen incredible instances of heroic caring for people in desperate need. His example of faith, courage and especially care for others despite his own sickness is a great story to reflect on and maybe an important lesson to end our year with.
Today, as we begin 2021 in the midst of the worst surge of the virus, the question might be, did we care enough for each other this past year and how can we care more this new year? How did 2020 leave us? This is a time for reflection that can lead us to a better 2021.
In the gospel we have the visit of the shepherds to see the child and also the naming of Jesus. We hear especially of Mary’s reaction, a reflection on all these things in her heart, an attempt to see what God is wanting of her and to follow it. How will she care for this child that has been entrusted to her? Her responsibility as parent of this special child weighed heavily. The name given the child means God Saves. That name is the beginning of the responsibility of Mary for Jesus, namely to help bring the saving love of Jesus to all. The peace that the angels proclaimed to the shepherds is the one Jesus brings, a peace where we are in right relation with God and others. Peace, as Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds show us, comes with listening to the word of God and responding. It comes if we care enough to act.
This year. as with Mary, the education of our young has been a huge challenge. Some children, especially in low-income areas, have fallen far behind where they might normally be in their studies as they are not in the classroom. Virtual learning is hard for these families. The high dropout rate in this city might be made worse this year. Young people will not get decent jobs without education, which leads to inter-generational poverty. We need to think hard about this. Raising children is all our responsibility and something we need to care about in 2021.
Today, on this feast of Mary, Mother of God, Luke in his gospel wants us to set Mary apart from all the others who are involved in the birth of Jesus. All come and go. We see the shepherds who hear from the angels, come, see the baby, return glorifying and praising God, and then tell others who are amazed. We see the Magi come and visit the baby after a long trip, give gifts and return to their lands. Joseph also is present but we do not hear anything from him nor is he seen beyond the childhood of Jesus. Simeon and Anna in the story last Sunday are elderly and do their role and are gone as well. All these people who were part of the birth of Jesus disappear soon after and we do not see them again in the gospel, even though each was important in some way to naming who Jesus was.
The only one who stays in the gospel is Mary. She not only gives birth, but she is also part of the story throughout Jesus’ public life, including her agonizing presence at his death on the cross. We are told she is also part of the disciples at Pentecost to receive the Holy Spirit at the birth of the Church. Mary is the mother, but she also becomes the disciple of her son, whereas the others, important as they might be to the birth story, are not heard from again. What is the difference?
Today’s gospel gives us a hint. It says Mary kept all these things and reflected on them in her heart. We also saw the same words about Mary after finding Jesus in the temple. So, the gospel is stressing the reflection of Mary as key to going beyond the initial amazement about Jesus to actually becoming his disciple and forming the Church.
Even though this feast is named Mary Mother of God, it is really about Jesus and following Jesus that we celebrate today. It is about deepening our own reflection on who Jesus is for me. Mary has always been honored by the Church. She is honored not only for her role as being chosen to be the mother of Jesus, but she is honored as the first of the disciples, a role model for all of us in faith. She is open to God’s call even when she was unsure of herself. She accepted the role she had even though it involved suffering, and she reflected on the meaning of Jesus over and over in her heart. Maybe it was this taking time to reflect and keeping things in the heart that made her strong enough to endure the difficult moments of following her son even to the cross. This made her the model for all disciples.
Have we reflected enough on all that has happened this year and what it has meant to us as well as the community and even the world, or have we just endured and say “good riddance to 2020?” If we don’t follow Mary’s example of reflection, we will miss an important opportunity. Her reflection led her to a life of caring love despite sacrifice and suffering.
We are at the start of a New Year. We have had much time in 2020 to slow our busy lives down and be more sequestered at home. Has it made us more reflective? Let things go to your heart. Be aware of people, events, and issues in your life.
Today is the World Day of Peace. Pope Francis called on the world to learn the Culture of Care so as to confront the culture of indifference, waste, and confrontation. He speaks of care as the protection of the dignity and rights of each person, the common good, solidarity, and protection of creation. He says educating people to care begins in the family. Then it is promoted in schools, religious communities, the communications media and in public service. The challenge is to form a community of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another. The culture of care, the pope says, is the privileged path to peace. He calls on all of us this first day of 2021 to be peacemakers by becoming caring people more each day.
Our reflection must also include, as Pope Francis calls us to, a wider reflection of care for the poor in the developing world. Read more. Learn about new things. Think of others. Think of your community and the world. You have the time now while homebound. We have more special once in a lifetime challenges as we begin 2021. How are you called to be a disciple in the New Year?
Look at this incredible woman, Mary. She calls us to stop, reflect, care and make the heart our guide this year. When we do this, we become people of peace. Jesus says “love enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who abuse you.” Mary lived this out all her life.
In 2021 look to Mary. Take time to reflect. Take time to care more!
Fr. David Garcia is a retired priest from the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas, where he served for 44 years. During that time, Fr. Garcia was instrumental in the effort to have the Old Spanish Missions recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also oversaw the multimillion-dollar restoration of San Fernando Cathedral. Fr. David served as pastor for several parishes in San Antonio, including the historic Mission Concepción. He also served as Senior Advisor for Clergy Outreach at Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian and relief agency of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.