from Pope Bendict’s homily yesterday, New Year’s Day 2013, Feast of Mary, Mother of God, & World Day of Peace:

“Mary remains even tempered, she does not get agitated, she is not overcome by events greater than herself; in silence she considers what happens, keeping it in her mind and heart, and pondering it calmly and serenely. This is the interior peace which we ought to have amid the sometimes tumultuous and confusing events of history, events whose meaning we often do not grasp and which disconcert us…”

“…The first reading reminds us that peace is a gift from God and is linked to the splendour of the face of God, according to the text from the Book of Numbers… “

“The Lord bless you and keep you: 

the Lord make his face to shine upon you: 

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, 

and give you peace” (6:24-26).