What’s on your mind? It has been said that if you pay attention to what occupies your mind during the course of a day, you will be able to tell what is important in your life. Do you spend a lot of time thinking about the challenges and demands of your job? Maybe financial worries preoccupy you—or perhaps you like to daydream about that new car you’ve had your eye on, or the perfect vacation you’ve been wanting to take.

What preoccupied Mary’s mind? The wonders that God had worked in history and her life. Today’s gospel reading tells us that after the shepherds left the manger, Mary pondered and treasured their words—their story of angelic appearances and of the promise of a new Messiah. The way Luke describes the scene, you get the impression that Mary didn’t spend just that evening contemplating these events. Rather, these happenings and so many more became the unending streams of thoughts to which she returned time and time again in prayer and meditation.

During this season of New Year’s resolutions, is it possible that God is inviting you to take on Mary’s approach by setting aside time each day to quiet your heart and reflect on who he is and what he has done? Is it possible that he is promising to give you a new perspective on your life as you take up this practice in prayer?

One thing we can be sure of: Other concerns will give way as the Holy Spirit fills our minds with new insights into God’s love. And by extension, our actions will begin to change to reflect our new preoccupations. As we persist in our goal of treasuring and pondering God’s generous kindness, we will feel impelled to live in a way that keeps us connected to his love. And then, like Mary, we too will become bearers of Christ to the world.

“Father, help me this year as I dedicate myself to treasuring and pondering your love and your power. Let 2006 be a year in which my life becomes a brighter reflection of who you are.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. In the first reading, Aaron and his sons are instructed through Moses how to bless the Israelites. How often do you invoke similar blessings over your family and friends? Would you be willing to pray a blessing over family members once a week during 2006? If you have children at home try using the prayer in the first reading to pray over them in the evening, before bed, or in the morning. Share the results at your next men’s group meeting.
2. In the responsorial psalm, once again we ask the Lord to “bless us” and “let his face shine upon us.” We also ask the Lord to permit us to praise him: “may all the peoples praise you.” As you reflect on the last year, what are the things the Lord has done for you that merit your thanks and praise?
3. In the second reading, St. Paul tells the Galatians and us that we are not only sons, we are also heirs! That is why we can cry out, “Abba Father” (Abba means daddy in Aramaic.) What does it mean to you to know that through faith in Jesus Christ, you are an adopted son and heir of your Heavenly Father? What qualities or attributes of your Heavenly Father do you want most for your life? What steps are you willing to take to receive them?
4. In the Gospel, we see how grateful the shepherds were (“glorifying and praising God”). In the Eucharist, we have an honor even greater than theirs. We get to receive into our hearts the very God they worshiped. How can you better prepare for that moment when you receive Jesus in the Eucharist?
5. The Gospel also says that Mary spent time “reflecting” in her heart the truths she heard from the shepherds. The meditation goes on to challenge each of us with these words, “During this season of New Year’s resolutions, is it possible that God is inviting you to take on Mary’s approach by setting aside time each day to quiet your heart and reflect on who he is and what he has done? Is it possible that he is promising to give you a new perspective on your life as you take up this practice in prayer?” As you begin the New Year, are you willing to commit to a daily time of prayer? Why or Why not? If you already have a daily prayer time, how can you structure your prayer time in order to spend a little less time presenting your list of needs to God, or trying to move his will, and more time reflecting on his word in Scripture?
6. At the end of the meditation, we pray, “Father, help me this year as I dedicate myself to treasuring and pondering your love and your power.” In 2006, what steps can you take to treasure and ponder the Father’s love and power? We also pray, “Let 2006 be a year in which my life becomes a brighter reflection of who you are.” Is this a desire of your heart? In what ways can you make better use of prayer, Scripture reading, and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist in accomplishing this?

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen