The Lord bless you and keep you. The triple blessing in the reading from Numbers is some of the oldest poetry in scripture. Blessing usually means God's giving of life-sustaining power that produces growth. The three blessings here imply the highest possible benefit. Addressed to all of Israel, the benedictions "invoke my name upon the Israelites"--literally "put the name on the people." In other words, the priests' pronouncing of God's name itself conveys the blessing. These high and solemn benedictions claim the people as God's own in an intimate way. They also set the stage for the other two readings about the great gift and blessing God has given humanity in Jesus, through Mary.

Homily points

• Mary as our mother is a loaded concept and fraught with historical controversy.
• The church has agreed over time to name Mary both Mother of God and Mother of the Church.
• On the World Day of Prayer for Peace, we recall that Mary is also Queen of Peace.