A reading from the letter to the Hebrews (2:10-17)
It was fitting that God,for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.For this reason Jesusis not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying,
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”
And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,
“Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.
A Reading from a sermon by Blessed Isaac of Stella
The Son of God is the firstborn among many brethren; though by nature he is the Only-begotten, by grace he united many to himself, to be one with him. For to those who receive him he gave the power of becoming sons of God. When therefore he was made a son of man, he made many to be sons of God. By his love and power he united– as one – many to himself; in themselves, by their birth in the flesh they are many, but by their divine rebirth they are one with him.
For Christ, Head and Body, is one, whole and unique; but this one Christ is of one God in heaven and one mother on earth; this Christ is both many sons and one son. For as Head and Body are one son and many sons, so Mary and the Church are one mother and many; one virgin and many.
Each is mother, each is virgin; both conceive in holiness from the same Spirit; both bring forth a child without sin for God the Father. Mary gave birth to the absolutely sinless Head for the Body; the Church gave birth, in the forgiveness of every sin, to the Body for the Head. Each is the mother of Christ, but neither without the other gives birth to the whole Christ.
And so in the divinely inspired Scriptures, what is said in general of the Virgin Mother the Church, is said individually of the Virgin Mary; and what is said in the particular case of the Virgin Mother Mary, is rightly understood of Virgin Mother Church universally; and when mention is made of either, it is to be understood almost indifferently and conjointly of both.
Every faithful soul, spouse of the Word of God, mother, daughter and sister of Christ is understood to be a virgin with her own form of fertility. This is said of the whole Church, more particularly of Mary and individually of the faithful soul, by the Wisdom itself of God, the Father’s Word.
Therefore the text continues,I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord. The inheritance of the Lord universally is the Church, more particularly Mary, and individually every faithful soul. Christ abode for nine months in the he tent of Mary’s womb; he abides until the consummation of the ages in the tent of the Church’s faith; he will abide for ever and ever in the knowledge and love of the faithful soul.
Musical Selection (Benedictines of Mary)
Hail the Heart that has loved me,
And of His blood spared nought,
Wholly burning for our souls,
And love’s return hath sought.
Hail the Heart of my Mother,
That bitter thorns enclose,
Heart of consolation
And Heaven's Mystic Rose.
Hail, Heart of St. Joseph,
Guardian of my Lord.
O grant that I love Him wholly,
E’er as thy Heart adored.
Hail, Hearts of the family
That will all peace restore.
Grant hope in our sufferings,
This I now implore.
Hail, Hearts most holy,
Hearts ever joined as one
In love, peace and submission,
That God’s sweet will be done.
Hail, Hearts most holy!
May God’s sweet will be done!
Prayer
As your sons and daughters, O loving God,
we come before you in thanksgiving,
called and united by your eternal Word.
Teach us to ponder the mystery of Nazareth,
that we may always find in you
the source of our strength
and the unity of our families.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
in the splendour of eternal light,
God for ever and ever, Amen.(Holy Family; Sunday within the Octave of Christmas)