May God Bless Us in Holy Mercy

May God Bless Us in Holy Mercy

January 1 is the most ancient liturgical observance of Mary in the Church’s calendar. It honors Mary as Theotokos or “Mother of God,” the title given her at the Council of Ephesus in 431 C.E. One of the holydays of obligation in the United States. Originally, Psalm 67 was a song giving praise to God for a bountiful harvest. We pray that God blesses us and ask that all people come to know and revere God. Over the octave of Christmas, we ponder God’s gift of Christ to us and all people. Like the shepherds we proclaim the Good News to others. May we ponder the mystery of the Christmas Season.

Favor and bless us, O God. Let your face shine on us,
revealing your way to all peoples, salvation the world over.
The world will shout for joy, for you rule the planet with justice.
In fairness you govern the nations and guide the peoples of earth.
Let the nations sing your praise, every nation on earth.
O God, continue your blessing, may the whole world worship you.

[verses adapted from The Psalter © 1995, Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications.]