A Reflection on the New Year Mass: Blessings, Peace and Salvation

This evening's New Year Mass celebration was truly inspiring at St. Anthony's Parish in Nanuet, New York. It was filled with hope, blessings, and profound lessons. The readings and reflections reminded us of God's immense mercy and our journey of faith in His eternal light. I mentioned going to Mass earlier in my post today and is happy I was able to go to church. 

The First Reading: (Numbers 6:22-27) 

In the first reading, the Lord spoke to Moses, instructing him to tell Aaron and his sons how to bless the Israelites:  

 “The LORD bless you and keep you!  

 The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!  

 The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!”  

These words serve as a powerful reminder of God's unfailing love and protection. The Israelites, and indeed all of us are constantly blessed by the presence of God's kindness and peace. The invocation of His name ensures His blessings upon us. 

 The Psalm-(Psalm 67)  

The Psalm beautifully echoed the theme of divine mercy:  

"May God bless us in his mercy.  

May God have pity on us and bless us;  

may he let his face shine upon us."  

It calls on all nations and peoples to praise God for His equity, guidance, and salvation, reinforcing the universal nature of His mercy.  

A quick reflection of the reading will point to the main theme of blessings and praise. Just what we need for this new year.

The Second Reading from (Galatians 4:4-7)  

In this reading, St. Paul reminds us of the fullness of time when God sent His Son, born of a woman, to redeem humanity. Through this act, we are no longer slaves but sons and daughters of God, heirs to His divine kingdom. The Spirit within us cries out, “Abba, Father!”—a profound acknowledgment of our intimate relationship with God.  

This reading highlights the transformative power of Christ's birth and the gift of adoption into God's family.  

Then the Gospel spoke of Mary’s encounter with the angel, a moment that called for deep reflection. When Mary was greeted with the message of her divine role, she pondered over the meaning of the greeting. Her reflective nature teaches us the importance of discernment and faith in the face of life's uncertainties.  

In contrast, we often react impulsively to news, whether good or bad, often leading to unnecessary suffering for ourselves and those we love. The homily reminded us that suffering does not signify abandonment by God. Instead, it is a sign of His intimate knowledge of us, down to our very DNA.  

 

Life’s challenges are opportunities to draw closer to the cross—the cross of eternal salvation. By embracing difficulties with faith, we align ourselves with God's will and grow in His grace.  

As we embark on this new year, may we learn to reflect, discern, and trust in God's plan for us. Let us strive to serve the Lord with peace in our hearts and love in our actions towards one another.  

The mass ended and the Priest said “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord”.

Happy New Year!  

Be a blessing to all those around you wherever you're. 

Pal Ronnie