The homily I delivered on Jan. 1, the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, is intimately joined with Christmas. The gospel is much the same as at the Mass at dawn on Christmas Day. But on Jan. 1, our attention was drawn to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God.
From the very earliest days of our nation, Mary has been venerated by Catholics. Archbishop John Carroll of Baltimore placed the United States under the patronage of the Mother of God in 1791, about 50 years after San Fernando Cathedral was built. Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Mother of God, holds a special place in the hearts of all Americans of the Western Hemisphere.
Mary’s motherhood is a wonderful blessing from God that brings salvation to the world. On the octave of the birthday of the Prince of Peace, we honored his Mother who, by giving birth to the Savior, brought his peace to the world. That is why the Church also has designated January 1 as the World Day of Peace.
In his message for this 2015 World Day of Peace, Pope Francis focuses our attention on the teaching of Scripture and Church tradition that we are all sisters and brothers. He prays that “on the basis of our common calling to cooperate with God and all people of good will for the advancement of harmony and peace in the world, we may resist the temptation to act in a manner unworthy of our humanity.”
The Holy Father then points out “the growing scourge” of the exploitation of persons by other persons and challenges us to promote interpersonal relations “marked by respect, justice, and love.” This may sound rather simplistic to you and taken for granted by all people of faith and good will. But Pope Francis is thinking about a growing phenomenon in our world and has entitled his message: “No longer slaves, but brothers and sisters.” Slaves?! In our world today? Unfortunately, yes! But isn’t slavery against international law? Yes! But it exists and is on the increase!
Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S.