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:
In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.” Rightly understood, the incomparable holiness of Mary shows forth the incomparable goodness of God.
Reference: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/
Summary
Each of us has a unique and personal and specific role in the building up of the Kingdom of God. We can say each of us has a singular grace, singular purpose. Saint Paul, besides other observations, describes his suffering in a particular way: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones ( Col 1:24-26).
In regards to the Blessed Mother, she had a singular grace that stands at the front of the singular graces. She was preserved without the stain of original sin of our common mother Eve, the Mother of all the living, imperfect. Mary, for her part, is the Mother of the Incarnate Lord. She is the the mother of all living things, perfectly.
Eve fell.
Mary excelled.
By divine will Mary is the height of our race. By divine will, in baptism, we too take on our unique, personal and specific role in building up the Kingdom of God.
Reflection
In the United States we think of ourselves as living in a meritocracy. I wish that were so, but that is the side point. We also relish our uniqueness and ability to excel. Some are born to excel by virtue of their physical properties and others by the merit of their efforts or some combination thereof. So none of the theology of Mary should be difficult for us to accept.
Mary shows us a most particular reality. In the divine grace, we can live a life without sin. In our case, future sin or separation from God. Mary brings to full view that without sin we can say Yes to the LORD. In our case without slavery to sin. Mary is our symbol of freedom.
Personal Reflection
My devotion to the Blessed Mother goes through phases of intensity and laxity. She is my role model. She is my friend. I most enjoy the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary as her personal story of her life with Jesus when the rest of us had no idea about him. She is the revelation of the revelation of Jesus. Blessed Mother, help me to be the man who honors his unique and personal and specific role in the building up of the Kingdom of God.
Call to Action
What is your unique and personal and specific role in the building up of the Kingdom of God? You have one undiscovered perhaps but it is there. The reflections of the rosary are an excellent way to encounter many ways to see your role. Read the scripture reference for each decade. Start with the Joyful mysteries. I did.
First Reading
The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living.
Responsorial
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Second Reading
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.
In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
Gospel Acclamation
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.
Gospel
And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry