Solemnity of Mary Mother of God
Corpus Christi Church, Baltimore
January 1, 2026
“Mary Pondered These Things in Her Heart”
Even as the world celebrates the beginning of a New Year, the Church celebrates the re-creation of the world in Christ Jesus, as if to say: “…whoever is in Christ is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor 5:17). Our re-creation, our re-birth in Christ, began in the womb of the Virgin Mary, for she gave birth to the One who is our Redeemer. Just as Eve was mother of a fallen humanity, so Mary, the Mother of God, is Mother of a redeemed humanity.
In reflecting with you on this deep truth at heart of our faith, I should like to focus on a single line in today’s Gospel passage from St. Luke. Surrounded by the angels and the shepherds, marveling with St, Joseph at the birth of Jesus [Luke tells us], that “…Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Mary not only stored these amazing events in her memory, she kept the mysteries of her Divine Son alive, fresh and real in her heart. All he said and did to save us lived and cohered in her Immaculate Heart as she pondered them in a spirit of praise and thanksgiving.
Indeed, throughout her life Mary continued to reflect on the mysteries of her Son as they unfolded. For she, the Mother of the Divine Savior, gave birth also to everything her Son did to bring about our salvation – principally, his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. By these saving events we have been re-born and given a new identity: in Christ we have become the adopted sons and daughters of the Father; in Christ we have become members of his Body, the Church and brothers and sisters to one another – indeed, we belong to one another. Thus, Mary is both the Mother of God and our Mother, for as the Crucified Jesus said to John, the beloved disciple, “Behold your mother.” And to Mary, “Behold your son” (cf. Jn 19:27).
Mary as Model and Pattern of the Church
Mary, the Mother of God, is indeed our mother – individually and collectively – and for that reason we acclaim her to be the Mother of the Church. Pope St. Leo the Great teaches that, “The birthday of the Head is also the birthday of the Body.” In giving birth to the Christ, Mary gave birth to the Body of Christ, the Church, and she continues to nurture the Church through the ages.
But there is a particular way in which Mary, not only nurtures the Church, but also sets the pattern for the Church’s life and mission. By keeping the events in the life of Christ alive in her memory, and by reflecting on these events in her Immaculate Heart, Mary stands as the paradigm for the Church at prayer: in her obedience to the Word of God, in her prayerful pondering of the Word of God in her mind and heart, in her keeping the presence of Christ and his mysteries alive in her heart. In all this, she is the “prototype” of the Church’s proclamation and worship.
Whenever the Church gathers for worship, we listen attentively as the Word of Scripture is proclaimed and we ponder in our hearts all that Christ did to save us from our sins and to draw us to himself. Then, we respond in fidelity and joy, just as did Mary in her Magnificat. As the divine liturgy continues, we realize that the mysteries the Church proclaims are no distant memory, but rather a living remembrance, like the remembrance of Mary’s Immaculate Heart. Because the Church’s memory, like Mary’s, is overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, the Presence of Christ and his mysteries remain alive, fresh, and vibrant, with none of their saving power diminished by the passage of time. In the liturgy unfolds, the Church brings forth for us the true Presence of Christ, and the living presence of what he did to save us – his life, teaching, and miracles, and above all, his Death and Resurrection. As we re-live and participate in what the Lord did to save us and receive into our hearts the Body and Blood of Christ, we grow together as the Body of Christ: “one body, one spirit” (cf. Eph 4:4; Eucharistic Prayer III).
Anniversary of the Dedication of Corpus Christi Church
How appropriate, then, that we should celebrate today the anniversary of the dedication of Corpus Christi church – the first in the nation to be named for “The Body of Christ”. When we hear the words, “Corpus Christi” we think of Christ’s true presence in the Most Holy Eucharist – his Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, born of the Virgin Mary. But we also realize that when we share in his redemptive deeds by eating his Flesh and drinking his Blood – we become the Body of Christ. What’s more, we are sent, like the shepherds, to proclaim and bear witness to the Good News of our salvation, our re-birth, our re-creation in Christ Jesus, born of the Virgin.
Many are resolutions that are urged upon us at this time of year – and most of all of them are good and most of them are soon discarded. If there is one resolution we should make today, let it be that we are continually made new in Christ, that our re-birth at the font of baptism is renewed, purified, and strengthened by sharing in the forgiveness Christ won for us on the Cross, and by plunging deeply into the mysteries the Church re-presents for us at the behest of Mary and in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the path to living in a new way. This is also the path to peace, in our lives, in the lives of those around us, and in a polarized and violent world desperately in need of the Peace of Christ. Mary, Mother of God and Mother of a Redeemed Humanity, pray for us!