Reflection
Genesis 3:9-20
Psalm 98
Ephesians 1:3-12
Luke 1:26-38
What a wonderful celebration today! Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many times folks confuse the Immaculate Conception as referring to Jesus – nope…it is our Holy Mother. The celebration of Mary dates back to the fifth century and became a Holy Day of Obligation in 1709. In 1854 when Pope Pius IX declared it a dogma of the Church, he noted: “from the first moment of her conception, the Blessed Virgin Mary was, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of Mankind, kept free from all stain of original sin."
In our gospel today we find tremendous support for the Immaculate Conception as a dogma as the Angel Gabriel stated: “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." Gabriel could not have made that declaration if Mary had the capacity for sin; she could not have been “full of grace” if she also had sin, logically she could only have been mostly full of grace, or ‘pert near full of grace.
When we have something extremely valuable or prized, we keep it in a special place. While I was in Turkey, there were safes filled with gold being wheeled between shops and banks. Those safes were surrounded by guards to ensure safety. Would not the Father want His Son to be placed into something that is purely beautiful? That beautiful place was in the immaculate womb of Mary.
Mary had the most special task of any woman who ever lived – give birth to the Son of God. Wow! How did she do it? With great trust: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” We are called EXACTLY to that same level of trust. God has something very special to do with you. We need to remain open to his calling and answer with great trust. Can you take time today to just listen?
It is a fantastic day! Smile at God today!