Let’s contemplate Mary before Christmas season ends, Pope says

Vatican City, Jan 6, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Pope John Paul II dedicated his first catechesis of 2004 to reflect upon “The divine maternity of Mary”, and called Christians to contemplate the Mother of God before the Christmas season ends.

“Mary, Mother of God!,” exclaimed the Pope during  the general audience at the Paul VI Hall. 

“This truth of faith which is deeply linked to the feast of Christmas is particularly clear in the liturgy of the first day of the year, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.  Mary is the mother of the Redeemer; she is the woman chosen by God to carry out the project of salvation centered on the mystery of the Incarnation of the divine Word,” he added.

“Mary's entire life is closely tied to Jesus' life.  At Christmas it is she who offers Jesus to mankind,” the Pontiff also said.

He explained that “on the cross, at the supreme moment of carrying out the mission of redemption, it will be Jesus to make a gift for every human being of His mother, such a precious heritage of redemption. The words of the Lord on the cross to the faithful disciple John are His testament.  He entrust His mother to John and at the same time He entrusts the apostle and all believers to the love of Mary.”

“At the end of Christmas season, let us stop to contemplate in the manger the silent presence of Our Lady beside the Child Jesus.  The same love, the same care that she had for Her divine Son, she reserves for us.  Therefore, let us allow her to guide our steps in the New Year,” John Paul concluded.