Hello everyone! Heyo! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where you read the daily Gospels and the Saint of the Day.
Let’s get started! Today is Thursday, January 1st.
Happy New Year, everyone! And the Gospel reading is Luke 2, 16-21.
And the scripture to reflect on is Luke 2, 18-19.
All who heard it were amazed by what had been told to them by the shepherds, and Mary kept all these things reflecting on them in her heart.
Today is the eighth day of Christmas.
Eight maids a-milking! The eight maids represent the eight Beatitudes.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the meek, blessed are they that mourn, blessed are they that hunger and thirst for justice, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the clean of heart, blessed are the peacemakers, and blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’s sake.
Being a milkmaid was one of the worst jobs anyone could have in England during this period.
This showed that Jesus cared as much about the servants as he did those of royalty.
Today is the feast day of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
It is celebrated every year on January 1st, New Year’s Day.
Today we celebrate Mary under her most important title, Mother.
She was chosen from the very beginning of time to be the one that would reverse the curse of Eve, and Mary did this through her willingness to bear God himself within her womb.
We honor Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus Christ, the day set aside to reflect on the role of Mary as a model of faith and obedience to God’s will.
It also emphasizes the importance of Jesus' birth and his nature as both divine and human.
The Beatitudes are a way to live a truly blessed life in communion with God, reflecting on his love to grow in our faith.
So today is the New Year 2026.
Let’s ask Mary, Mother of God, to bless us through the gift of Jesus and that he will keep leading us every day.
Let’s pray a Hail Mary together.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Thank you so much for listening.
We’ll be back tomorrow scattering more flowers.
See ya!