Today is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Beginning the New Year with Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Peace
Today, let us reflect on the homily of Pope John Paul II. As we stand at the threshold of a new year, we are invited to lift our gaze to the Virgin Mary and to begin the journey ahead under her maternal guidance. Reflecting on the words of Saint Paul, “God sent forth His Son, born of woman” (Gal 4:4), the Holy Father reminds us that Mary is the Theotokos, the God-bearer, through whom the mystery of the Incarnation entered human history.
Mary is the model of Christian holiness. She teaches us faith, receptivity, and the quiet strength of a heart fully surrendered to God’s will. She is a school of docility and prayer where we learn to welcome the gift of salvation.
The world today, marked by suffering, violence, and injustice, is not unlike the world into which Christ was born. These wounds of humanity continue because of the reality of sin. In response to this brokenness, we are called to proclaim Christ, the Prince of Peace, and to form consciences rooted in a true culture of peace. As John Paul II reminds us, peace is not merely the absence of conflict. It is a fruit of forgiveness and love, grounded in the Gospel and cradled in the humility of Bethlehem.
On this solemnity, the Holy Father invites us to remember that the Church’s mission is to be peacemakers.
May Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede for the world, sustain our efforts, and accompany humanity in building a peace that endures. This is not a peace imposed by force, but one born of the triumph of love.
John Paul II Homily on the Solemnity of Mother of God
Thursday, 1 January 2004
“When the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman“ (Ga 4,4).
Today, the liturgy of the Octave of Christmas presents to us the icon of the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary. The Apostle Paul points her out as the “woman” through whom the Son of God entered the world. Mary of Nazareth is the Theotokos, the One who “gave birth to the King of Heaven and earth for ever.
At the beginning of this new year, let us place ourselves with docility at the school of Mary. We want to learn from her, the Holy Mother, how to accept in faith and prayer the salvation that God never ceases to offer to all who trust in his merciful love.
In this atmosphere of listening and prayer, let us give thanks to God for this New Year: may it be a year of prosperity and peace for everyone!
[We] need to form consciences to the culture of peace. For peace to be possible, I wished to repeat, it is also a duty.
Challenged by situations of injustice and violence that threaten various parts of the globe and the never-ending wars, often ignored by public opinion, it is becoming more and more necessary to build roads to peace together; consequently, educating for peace becomes indispensable.
For Christians, in fact, “to proclaim peace is to announce Christ who is “our peace’ (Ep 2,14); it is to announce his Gospel, which is a “Gospel of peace’ (Ep 6,15); it is to call all people to the beatitude of being “peacemakers’ (cf. Mt Mt 5,9)”
Every year in this Christmas season we return in spirit to Bethlehem to adore the Child lying in the manger. Unfortunately, in the land in which Jesus was born tragic conditions endure. In other parts of the world, hotbeds of violence and conflict are also still smoldering. However, we must persevere without giving in to the temptation to despair. All are asked to make an effort to see that the fundamental rights of the person are respected, by constantly teaching respect for the law. With this in mind, it is necessary to strive to transcend “the logic of simple justice and to be open also to the logic of forgiveness“. Indeed, “there is no peace without forgiveness!”
“Love is... the loftiest and most noble form of relationship possible between human beings“ (ibid.). […] May God help us build together the “civilization of love”. Only a humanity in which love is triumphant will be able to enjoy authentic and lasting peace.
May Mary obtain this gift for us. May she sustain us and accompany us in the arduous but exalting process of building peace. Let us never tire of praying confidently for this: Mary Queen of Peace, pray for us!
© 2026, Lawain McNeil, Mission Surrender, LLC