Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 17, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Gn 3:9-15, 20 / Ps 87 / Acts 1:12-14 / Jn 19:25-34
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Not too long ago, Christina Simos and her 18-month-old baby were caught between a rock and a hard place at their third-story apartment, when it was on fire. To save her child, she wrapped him in her arms and jumped from the third floor of the building. Although Simos severely injured her back, her baby, Camron, had only a few scratches. This is one of the many stories that tells us what a mother would do to save her child from danger.

Today, the last day of our Bicentennial Jubilee celebration, our Bishop, His Excellency Barry Knestout, reminds us that the Mother of God is also our mother, who will always be there to guide and protect us. His words are supported by the biblical passages we have heard in today’s gospel, where St. John the Evangelist has related to us part of the story of the Crucifixion.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom He loved, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then He said to his disciple who was there representing each and every one of us, “Behold, your mother.”

My dear brothers and sisters, as we gather here at this very moment, or wherever we may be sometime in the future, may we always have in mind that the Mother of God, who is the Queen of Heaven and Earth, the Queen of Angels, is our mother, our guide, our protector. In his message, Bishop Knestout said, “May the intercession of Mary guide our diocese, as it embarks upon its third century.”

As we all know, every time we wake up each morning, we embark upon a new day and upon a new life. We will be facing new challenges ahead of us, but with Mary on our side, we have no reason to worry.

St. Louis de Montfort said, “Shall a man who has an army of a hundred thousand soldiers around him fear his enemies? A faithful servant of Mary, surrounded by her protection, has still less to fear. This good mother would dispatch battalions of millions of angels to assist one of her servants.”

Along this same line of thinking, St. Bernard said, “As you struggle through the stormy sea of life, do not turn away from Mary, the Star of the Sea.” If you are getting discouraged, think of Mary; in dangers and difficulties, call Mary. Keep the thought of her fixed in your heart. She will guide you to Jesus, your Savior.