Luke 2 16-21 Mary, Mother of God                                  1-1-05 dcn.ca

As some of you know I’ve have spent part of my life working for small manufacturing companies. My last job was as a quality control person for a plant in Grygla called Machinewell that made components mainly for Polaris & Artic Cat. My main job was to go from workstation to workstation measuring the different parts that were being made to insure they were within the specifications. At that time there were 12 workstations ¾ of them operated by women, most of which were moms. Because of the nature of my job I would make personal contact with each operator on a daily basis. And, although the boss told me not to, I’d visit with each of them “just a little”. The thing that would impress me the most about them was their dedication to their families. Their paycheck would mostly go for the support of the family and much of their “vacation time” would be used up in half day segments so they could take one of their children to the doctor or go watch a basketball game or other activity their child was taking part in.

           The result of my working around and with these women was the development of a very deep respect for their commitment, their “yes”, to the welfare of their families.

            This admiration of those that will “Yes” to different demanding commitments in their lives has not only been limited to this group. It also includes the dads as well as moms, sons & daughters, priests and religious that I’ve come to know and been honored to witness their selfless giving.

         Today is, a special feast day of a person whose “Yes” has made possible the life giving “Yes’s” we can be privileged to witness and be part of, The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Because of Mary’s yes we are gifted with the status of adopted sons and daughters of God, through the saving actions Jesus Christ.

         And although today we celebrate Mary as a Mother, before she was a mother she was a daughter of God placing herself in His hands. //Mary’s example invites us not only to formal prayer and asking God’s assistance in the events of our lives. But also, like others we can have the privilege of knowing, it is through her model of surrendering herself, through out her life to do the will of God, which speaks to us most deeply.

          So as we enter into a New Year; we are encouraged by her example to come to fuller understanding of the knowledge and will of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Mary.