Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God

Fr Dominic’s Homily

The council of Ephesus agreed that Mary is the true God bearer in the year 43l.

So Mary is not simply the mother of Jesus but is truly the mother of God. Now when the Church proclaims something like this about Mary it's not really about Mary it's so that the Church can safeguard some truths about Jesus.

In this case it is safeguarding the truth that Jesus is fully human and fully divine at the same time. The Church was going through some difficulties due to some people suggesting that Jesus couldn't be both of these at the same time. So in order to safeguard these truths about Jesus this proclamation was made about Mary - that she was Mother of God. So Mary is the patron saint of safeguarding too!

Mary agreed to God's plan for her to become his Mother! We hear this phrase said often but it is an amazing claim.

Many people from other denominations really struggle with this notion. How can Mary be the mother of God? But they think that by being the Mother of God that it means she is more powerful than God (which she isn't) or divine (She is a creature) or that she is the Mother of the Trinity (Making her pre-existent of God). The Church has never said any of this. She is not more powerful than God. And Mary is only Mother of the second person of the trinity.

The creator of the universe asks a 14 year old girl for permission to initiate his plan of salvation for the whole human race. Mary says yes and gives her whole life in that moment.

She could have simply said no. Or can I think about it. .. Or tell me more of what's involved first so I can get this clear in my head. She could have said - what do I get out of this?

She even gives up opportunity of naming her own child as she is told what his name will be in advance.

There was nothing she held back from God.

As a result of her faithfulness, in time she was raised from lowly handmaid to Queen of Heaven and Earth. That's quite a rise in status!

This shows that God's grace and blessings are showered abundantly upon those who surrender to his will.

As we begin this New Year let us also try to listen to God in our lives and say yes to his personal plans for us.