MEDITATIONS

Word Among Us, Jan 2006

JANUARY 1-7

1 Sunday, January 1

Mary, Mother of God

Luke 2:16-21

What's on your mind? It has been said that if you pay attention to what occupies your mind during the course of a day, you will be able to tell what is important in your life. Do you spend a lot of time thinking about the challenges and demands of your job? Maybe financial worries preoccupy you-or perhaps you like to daydream about that new car you've had your eye on, or the perfect vacation you've been wanting to take.

What preoccupied Mary's mind? The wonders that God had worked in history and her life. Today's gospel reading tells us that after the shepherds left the manger, Mary pondered and treasured their words-their story of angelic appearances and of the promise of a new Messiah. The way Luke describes the scene, you get the impression that Mary didn't spend just that evening contemplating these events. Rather, these happenings and so many more became the unending streams of thoughts to which she returned time and time again in prayer and meditation.

During this season of New Year's resolutions, is it possible that God is inviting you to take on Mary's approach by setting aside time each day to quiet your heart and reflect on who he is and what he has done? Is it possible that he is promising to give you a new perspective on your life as you take up this practice in prayer?

One thing we can be sure of: Other concerns will give way as the Holy Spirit fills our minds with new insights into God's love. And by extension, our actions will begin to change to reflect our new preoccupations. As we persist in our goal of treasuring and pondering God's generous kindness, we will feel impelled to live in a way that keeps us connected to his love. And then, like Mary, we too will become bearers of Christ to the world.

"Father, help me this year as 1 dedicate myself to treasuring and pondering your love and your power. Let 2006 be a year in which my life becomes a brighter reflection of who you are. "

Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8; Galatians 4:4-7

2 Monday, January 2

1 John 2:22-28

John had been with Jesus from the very beginning. He stayed with him for a full three years and even stood at the foot of the cross when he died. How did he manage to stay so faithful? Because he took to heart Jesus' invitation to abide in him (John 15:1-11).

During the years after the death of Jesus, John must have pondered Jesus' words over and over again. He must have recalled and studied the Hebrew Scriptures and written down all he remembered from what Jesus had taught him and die rest of the disciples. And that's how John learned how to abide in Christ: All his pondering of Jesus' teachings convinced him dial Christ lived in him, and that gave him confidence that he could indeed "abide" in Christ. John also discovered that remaining in Jesus made him capable of bearing much more fruit in the kingdom of God than if he tried to do God's work by his own strength.

As the early Christian communities grew, they began to experience a clash of cultures between the philosophies of the world and the gospel they had embraced. How should young believers deal with the perennial problems of love of the world, lust of the flesh, and pride of life (1 John 2:12-17)? In this letter, St. John used all he had learned over the years to encourage these believers. And his teaching all boiled down-again-to abiding in Christ: "Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you" (2:24). John exhorted them to remember that the Holy Spirit had been poured out precisely to teach them and help them to overcome the obstacles they were facing (2:27).

We are bombarded with worldly ideas, our own fleshly cravings, and Satan's evil schemes. Who will save us? Jesus Christ, our Lord! Every day, we can fill our minds with the promises of God. Every day, we can seek his presence. Every day, we can practice the art of abiding in Christ. Jesus promised he would never leave us; we just need to turn to him for guidance and strength. As we do, we will be convinced that we can overcome the world, simply because we are abiding in Christ.

"Jesus, I want to remain in your presence all through my day. Help me to rest in your word. Teach me through the Scriptures how to live a life of love and gratitude. "

Psalm 98:1-4; John 1:19-28

3 Tuesday, January 3

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

John 1:29-34

Parents-to-be often spend hours and hours flipping through books or searching the Internet for that perfect name for their child. They are looking for a name that not only sounds pleasant but has significance: "Claire," for example, means "brilliant," and "Drew" means "trustworthy."

Mary and Joseph didn't have to bother with all of that. An angel told them their son's name before he was even born (Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:21). He was to be called "Jesus," which means "God saves." As in most Jewish families, the name of this child was seen as a sign of what kind of a man he would grow into. And more powerfully than all others, Jesus fully embodied all his name said he would be: He literally saved humanity from their sins!