The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on our blessings and how we might surrender ourselves to respond to the kindness we have known.
The Reading from the Book of Numbers shares the Priestly Blessing of shalom.
* [6:26] Peace: the Hebrew word Shalom includes the idea of happiness, good health, prosperity, friendship, and general well-being. To use this term as a greeting was to pray for all these things upon the one greeted. (Numbers, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 67 petitions may God be gracious to us.
* [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Ps 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.
* [67:2] May God be gracious to us: the people’s petition echoes the blessing pronounced upon them by the priests, cf. Nm 6:22–27. (Psalms, Psalm 67| USCCB, n.d.)
The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Galatians proclaims God’s Free Children in Christ.
* [4:1–7] What Paul has argued in Gal 3:26–29 is now elaborated in terms of the Christian as the heir (Gal 4:1, 7; cf. Gal 3:18, 29) freed from control by others. Again, as in Gal 3:2–5, the proof that Christians are children of God is the gift of the Spirit of Christ relating them intimately to God.
* [4:6] Children: see note on Gal 3:26; here in contrast to the infant or young person not of age (Gal 3:1, 3). Abba: cf. Mk 14:36 and the note; Rom 8:15. (Galatians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke proclaims the Visit of the Shepherds and the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus.
* [2:21] Just as John before him had been incorporated into the people of Israel through his circumcision, so too this child (see note on Lk 1:57–66). (Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Rev. George Meze, SJ, reflects on Mary’s sense of awe and wonder, He is reminded of Kris Kristofferson’s song, “Why Me Lord”. As Mary shared her life with Jesus, may we share our blessings with everyone—especially the poor—In doing so, we can truly sing, “Why me, Lord, what have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I’ve known?”
“Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I’ve known…
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving You
Or the kindness You’ve shown.” (Meze, 2026)
Don Schwager quotes “By Christ's faith, hope, and love we are purified,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.
"He therefore received in the flesh the circumcision decreed by the law, although he appeared in the flesh absolutely without any blemish of pollution. He who came in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3) - not in sinful flesh - did not turn away from the remedy by which sinful flesh was ordinarily made clean. Similarly, not because of necessity but for the sake of example, he also submitted to the water of baptism, by which he wanted the people of the new law of grace to be washed from the stain of sins...
"The reason 'the child who was born to us, the son who was given to us ' (Isaiah 9:6), received the name Jesus (that is, 'Savior') does not need explanation in order to be understood by us, but we need eager and vigilant zeal so that we too may be saved by sharing in his name. Indeed, we read how the angel interprets the name of Jesus: 'He will save his people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). And without a doubt we believe and hope that the one who saves us from sins is not failing to save us also from the corruptions which happen because of sins, and from death itself, as the psalmist testifies when he says, 'Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases' (Psalm 103:3). Indeed, with the pardoning of all of our iniquities, all our diseases will be completely healed when, with the appearance of the glory of the resurrection, our last enemy, death, will be destroyed... We read that circumcision was done with knives made of rock (Joshua 5:2), and the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). And by Christ's faith, hope and love the hearts of the good are purified not only in baptism but furthermore in every devout action. This daily circumcision of ours (that is, the continual cleansing of our heart) does not cease from always celebrating the sacrament of the eighth day. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.11) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Galatians 4:4-7 comments that Mary also modeled what saying yes to God looks like through her daily example of humility, compassion, and faith.
As you begin a new year, take Mary as your mother. She prays for you, she loves you, and she cares for you. Let her teach you how to say yes to God. Your “yes” might seem like nothing extraordinary: someone to care for, someone to encourage, or faithfulness to prayer in the midst of a busy day. But Mary knows that they all add up to an extraordinary life in God’s eyes, and the rewards of a faithful life.
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me.” (Meditation on Galatians 4:4-7, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the priestly blessing in Numbers, God is with them in a kindly way. Jesus was born of a woman and Jesus was truly Jewish as being Jewish is passed through the mother. In the Letter to the Galatians we hear the Spirit cries “Abba”. We find God most truly when we listen to our hearts and experience Jesus as a loving parent sitting with us. The shepherds arrival in Luke is unusual as they were not thought of as honest and reliable. Friar Jude places them in the anawim and notes that, in Mary's heart, where we think in Jesus' time, her child is named “Yahweh saves” and carries His mission in His name.
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Margaret Feinberg who writes of the collective impact of bringing forward our own “salty” flavor for the healing of the world. Feinberg offers encouragement when the suffering of the world feels overwhelming.
For me, it’s hard to know where to begin some days. I become overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of needs that flood my inbox and mailbox, my texts and social media feeds. In search of how to find a way forward, I once stumbled on wisdom tucked into some ancient Jewish writings known as the Talmud. There it says that if someone is suffering and in need, and you can take away 1/60 of their pain, then that is goodness, and the call to help is from God. This is a powerful expression of our being the salt—the preservers, the flavorers, the fertilizers—of the earth.
The fraction—1/60—is loaded with freedom. This liberates us from the pressured thinking that whispers, Everything depends on you. Your one little grain of salt can help with something someone else’s grain can’t. And when all the grains get mixed and sprinkled together, preserving and flavoring and helping others flourish occurs everywhere. (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder the possibility of Peace on Earth as we begin 2026 and implore the Spirit to reveal our mission and support our surrender to be salt and light in our environment.
References
Galatians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/4?4
Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?16
Meditation on Galatians 4:4-7. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/01/1463077/
Meze, G. (2026, January 1). Daily Reflection January 1, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-1-2026
Numbers, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/numbers/6?22
Psalms, Psalm 67| USCCB. (n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/67?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Little Salt Goes a Long Way. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-little-salt-goes-a-long-way/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Was Called Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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