1st Reading Numbers 6: 22-27
Psalm 67: 2-3. 5. 6 & 8 (R. 2a)
R:// "O God, be gracious and bless us"
2nd Reading Galatians 4: 4-7
Gospel Luke 2: 16-21
BLESSED AND KEPT IN GOD'S PEACE
Beloved, Happy New Year. Today is the first day of the first month of the new year, 2025. Let's deal with this identification. What we know from Scripture, especially the New Testament, is that the "first day" is the day of Resurrection. The Resurrection marked a new beginning for mankind because, without the Resurrection, our hope would have been in vain. Similarly, today, the "first day" of the Year 2025, we have renewed hope. May the light of our Hope in the blessings of God for us this year never go dim.
The important reason for today's liturgy is the celebration of Mary, the Mother of God. This is one of the four Marian Dogmas. This Dogma was pronounced by the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD against the thoughts of the heresy of Nestorius, the Bishop of Constantinople who said Mary was "Mother of Christ" and not "Mother of God". Nestorius' thought became erroneous because it kicked against the full divinity of Christ and downplayed the Church's teaching on the Trinity by which we believe that Jesus is God. If Jesus is God, then Mary is equally the Mother of God. Providentially, we commence the new year with Mary so that as a Mother she can care for us as a Mother wraps her children with her maternal mantle. May we enjoy her maternal intercession throughout the Year.
I would suggest that we launch deeply into the first reading for today, from Numbers 6: 22-27. The passage is the famous "priestly benediction". This was told to Moses to be spoken to Aaron and his sons at the time the Israelites were preparing to depart from Mt. Sinai where they were camped for almost a year. The setting is in the desert. Of course, the setting of the major parts of the Book of Numbers is the desert. In fact, the Hebrew name of this Book is "Bəmidbar" (in the desert) and that is what we find in Numbers 1:1. The desert is a place associated with dryness, trial and difficulties. That is exactly where the Israelites faced most of their trials in their journey to the Promised Land. We can compare our journey through this new year to a journey through the "desert". Wm
The text we have for our first reading has blessings addressed to the Israelites. We notice that six (6) powerful verbs are used, two in each line: "bless and keep, face shine upon you and graciousness, and look with kindness and peace". Each is activated by the Lord. Let's get into each of them briefly.
The first is "The Lord Bless you..." (v. 24). The blessing of God is associated with God's provision. What is thought of is that God will give the necessities of life. This is the blessing of creation. Remember that in Genesis 1: 27-28, God *blessed* Adam and Eve to be fruitful. This is a word of abundance. Again, in Genesis 12: 1-3, God *blessed* Abram, promising to make him a great nation in a new location. This is one man's domain being expanded. God provides and makes in abundance. That is the first thing we are told on the first day of the Year.
The second is "The Lord will keep you" (v. 24). This is God's protection. The Hebrew word for "Keep" is "Shamar". That is the same word we find in Genesis 2: 15 when God told man to "Keep and Till the Land". That is the function of a Shepherd. A Shepherd keeps, he guards, he protects. Imagine someone with the blessing of God's providence but without protection. God will care for you so that the Graces he grants you by his blessings will not be lost. He will shelter you from evil and its effects.
The third is that "the Lord let his face shine upon you" (v. 25). Remember that the Israelites are preparing to leave Mt. Sinai. A significant event occurred there. Moses went up the Mountain, received the Law and returned also with a radiant face. The Israelites could not see his face. He literally had to cover it but unveiled himself when he went into the presence of the Lord to speak with Him (Exod. 34: 29-35).
This connection has everything to do with the Israelites because they journeyed 40 years through the desert (Num. 14: 33-34) and Moses stayed on the mountain for 40 days and nights without food or water. The result of that encounter is not only the production of the 10 Commandments but a transformation of Moses' face. After trial comes victory and transformation. Your victory will be meaningless without trials. Moses acquired the face of God after a trial moment.
Additionally, to "Shine" on you adds a beautiful meaning to what the blessing states. The Hebrew word for "Shine" is 'ôr. That is the word for Light. The first thing God created is light (Gen. 1:3) and it is also the element of separation (Gen. 1: 14). When you acquire the face of God, you acquire the image of light. You are not only newly created but you are automatically separated from what is not light. You simply become different. What makes this possible is Grace.
The final blessing is that "God look upon you kindly and give you peace" (v. 26). Some translations have "countenance". That word is "Paniym" in Hebrew and it means "face". What it means is that God will cast his facial expression on you. A person's facial expression shows the person's emotions and mood. If God will cast his facial expression and grant Peace, then his facial expression is nothing but Peace (Hb. shalom). Peace encompasses the total well-being of a person, ranging from health to wealth.
Pax et Bonum
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