Greetings on this the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings: Gn 3:9-15, 20; PS 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38
Notes: Hiding is usually not a good thing.
Hiding from God.
Hiding from your parents/spouse/children.
Hiding from yourself.
I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid (Gen 3:10).
- Divine Naked: open and unguarded. Innocent.
- Derivative Naked: unprotected, exposed, uncovered. At risk.
Which nakedness did the snake want them to know, the divine or the derivative?
- In the course of the different epochs, beginning with antiquity—and especially in the great epoch of classical Greek art—there are works of art, whose theme is the human body in its nakedness, and whose contemplation allows us to concentrate, in a certain sense, on the total truth of man, on the dignity and beauty — even that “suprasensual” — of his masculinity and femininity. These works have in themselves, as if hidden, an element of sublimation, which leads the viewer, through the body, to the whole personal mystery of man. In contact with these works, where we do not feel led by their content towards the “look to desire”, of which the Sermon on the Mount speaks, we learn, in a certain sense, that spousal meaning of the body, which corresponds to and is the measure of “purity of heart” (JOHN PAUL II, GENERAL AUDIENCE, Wednesday, 6 May 1981).
Then they hid from God, who came searching for them. He gave them the opportunity to confess and take responsibility for their sin, which they did not do; instead, they blamed each other (Sophia Press).
The Blessed Mother reverses the mistakes of Eve.
Reference used: Behold Your Mother: Helping Students Grow in Their Devotion to Our Lady
ISBN: 978-1-64413-074-2. I recommend their scholarship for catechetical teachers.
I pinched an image from their book for the intro.
Borrowing from 3rd Advent and John’s self-doubt, focus on the divine nakedness. Do not allow the derivative nakedness cause you to stumble. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me (Matt 11:6).
First reading
After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree, the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!”
The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”
The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”
Responsorial Psalm
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.
The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.
Second reading
Brothers and sisters: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.
Alleluia Verse
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.
Gospel Portion
And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Mary was naked.
Naked: open and unguarded. Innocent.
She did not hide from the love that overshadows.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 