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Monday, January 01, 2007 Meditation Numbers 6:22-27 Mary, the Mother of God A young boy returning to school after the summer holidays was asked if he liked his new class. No! he shot back. There must be something you like! his parents prodded. Nothing! Not letting up, they encouraged him to see the positive side of his situation: There must be one good thing you can think of. He finally responded: Leaving at the end of the day! Sometimes we are like that boy, we’d rather stay comfortably in the past than move forward to an unknown future, even one that is full of potential. The Israelites acted no differently during their journey to the Promised Land. They complained often, even wanting to return to slavery in Egypt. So God sought to encourage them, as we see in this beautiful prayer of blessing. What did this blessing mean? Well, it didn’t mean automatic victory over all their enemies—but neither did it require them to be perfect. No, it was a more indiscriminate blessing, telling the people that no matter what they faced, God was with them. We too are on a pilgrimage, and as this new year unfolds, we will undoubtedly meet with good fortune as well as challenging obstacles. God’s blessing, however, will be constant. In victory or defeat, in confidence or instability, we can still know our Father’s presence, his wisdom, and his guidance. Mary is a perfect example of one who constantly lived under God’s blessing. When a sword pierced her soul at Calvary, when her Son was ridiculed and beaten, and even when he ascended to heaven and left her alone, Mary remained full of grace because she had learned the art of resting in God’s providence. So as this year opens, choose to be like Mary and surrender yourself to the Lord. If you look closely enough, you will find God’s blessings wherever you go! Father, I dedicate this year to you. I trust in all the blessings you have in store for me! May the river of your presence flow in my life!
Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 |