January 1, 2026 – Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, New Year’s Eve Mass
Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010126.cfm)
As we have gathered together on this New Year’s Eve, with hearts brimming with gratitude for the year gone by and excitedly anticipating the year that is about to dawn, we pause to reflect not only on our blessings but also on the realities that surround us as a people. There are at least two pressing realities that I invite you to also recognize.
First, for many Filipino families, this past year has been one of perseverance. Many worked harder yet still felt the squeeze of rising prices, while others waited anxiously for better opportunities. However, according to international research and analysis agencies, the Philippine economy is expected to grow, but at a slower pace than hoped, below our government targets until 2026.[1] Thus, it brings pressures on jobs, investment, and public confidence in institutions.
Second, our nation continues to grapple with the harsh realities of climate change. 97% of Filipino children live in areas exposed to multiple hazards like typhoons, floods, heatwaves, and droughts.[2] These harsh realities affect their schooling, health, and safety. These are not distant challenges because they touch our communities, our children, and very our lives.
Tonight, as we gather in prayer and hope, the Holy Spirit invites us to look beyond statistics and crises, to hear once again the Word of God, and to awaken in us a deeper courage.
My reflection tonight on the eve of 2026 draws its strength from one profound truth that God is with us, and in Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother, we find a model of hope that moves us forward.
And so, as a people of faith, let us also explore the Lord’s invitations for us through the Scriptures, woven together into a tapestry of promise, blessing, and identity.
In the first reading from the Book of Numbers, God instructs Moses to bless the people: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you… and give you peace.” This ancient blessing was not a ritual word of comfort alone but a declaration of God’s steadfast presence with His people, regardless of what they faced. Indeed, God’s blessing comes before our success, before our achievements, before the turning of the calendar. This means that God’s blessing precedes us. It reminds us also that our identity is rooted not in worldly measures but in divine favor and care.
This echoes in the Responsorial Psalm: “May God bless us in his mercy… Let the nations be glad and sing for joy.” Here, blessing is not exclusive. Rather, it is generous and meant for all peoples. Even as we confront uncertainties, whether in the marketplace, the environment, or our families and communities, God’s mercy draws us into a communion of hope that stretches beyond our individual lives into the life of our community.
Moreover, St. Paul, in his Letter to the Galatians, brings this mystery into sharper focus. Paul writes, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son… so that we might receive adoption as sons and daughters.” Because of Jesus, we are not distant observers but children of God. Thus, we have the right to call God, Abba, Father. This adoption is not theoretical. Instead, it affects how we live, how we hope, how we act with courage even when circumstances are intimidating and very challenging for us. This gives us the confidence that God is indeed, our Father.
And then we come to the Gospel of Luke.The shepherds went with haste to see the Child lying in a manger. They saw, they encountered, and they returned glorifying and praising God. But there is one figure who stands at the center. It was Mary. Scripture says, Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
What does this reflection mean for us tonight, as we welcome the New Year 2026?
Friends, remember, Mary did not wait for perfect conditions. Mary, our Mother, did not wait for clarity before saying “yes” to God. She lived the divine promise in the middle of uncertainties. We find that in the difficult journey to Bethlehem, in the simplicity of a stable, in the risk of becoming a refugee in Egypt, and the uncertainty of a future she could not fully understand. And yet, she kept these things in her heart. This is a heart rooted in prayer, trust, and unwavering faith.
Indeed, Mary witnessed the fulfillment of God’s promise, held it close, and allowed it to shape her life. From her womb came the Savior and from her life comes a model of faithful discipleship for every Filipino mother, father, youth, and elder.
From all of these, this reminds us and calls us to truly hope! And this hope that moves us forward flows from a heart that trusts in God’s presence and blessing, just as Mary trusted and hoped. Thus, it is a hope that does not deny challenges but faces them with faith, courage, and love.
Definitely, many will face challenges in 2026. We have an economy that grows more slowly than we hoped, pressures on jobs and investment, unaccounted government funds being squandered by corrupt officials, and the intensifying realities of climate change that affect our children and communities. These challenges are real, but God’s blessing is real too, and Mary shows us how to carry it forward.
We realize that, in fact, Mary is not a distant figure because as a Mother of God, she is also our Mother. As a mother, Mary is present with us, guiding us, and interceding for us. At Cana, she brought the needs of others to Jesus. At the foot of the cross, she stood in solidarity with suffering humanity. In her faith-filled yes, she teaches us that to hope is to act. This means that we too have to look at reality not through the lens of fear and insecurity or merely on being optimistic, but through the gaze of faith.
And so, as we usher in the year 2026, may our hearts be like Mary that is open to God’s blessing, reflective in prayer, and courageous in action.
In this spirit of hope, let me leave you with three simple but powerful takeaways, practical actions that will help us live this year rooted in faith.
First. Begin and end each day with a moment of gratitude and prayer, inviting God into every challenge whether big or small.
Second. Act justly in your daily life. You can do this by choosing to help a neighbor, supporting the vulnerable, protecting creation, and speaking truth with compassion.
Third. Stay anchored in community. We are called to build ties of kindness, forgiveness, and service in your family and our neighborhood.
May Mary, the Mother of God, intercede for us that we may live this new year with hearts full of hope, eyes fixed on Christ, and hands ready to serve. Hinaut pa.
[1] https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/11/25/2489603/economy-slow-down-until-2026
[2] https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2025/11/24/714334/children-in-phl-facing-elevated-risk-from-climate-change-report/
A DOSE OF GOD TODAY 