Pray for us who have recourse to thee!

On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we are reminded of the perfection of our Blessed Mother, and sadly, our own imperfection.  She, always and in every way, was wholly pleasing to God.  Her every desire and action has always been in response to the Divine Will of God.  Though a creature with a free will, she had, unlike us, no inclination to sin.

We should not and must not underestimate the significance of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in salvation history!  The simple and yet profound "fiat" of the Blessed Virgin Mary reversed the course of the eternal destinies for millions of people.  So, what meaning can we take from this solemnity, for ourselves, today, as we near the end of 2019?

We might start with the question God put to Adam in the Garden of Eden.  He asked Adam, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9) We are still somewhat early in the Advent season and we might ask ourselves that same question as we regard our life in Christ.  Paul reminds the Ephesians—and us—that we were destined before the world came into being, for the "praise of His glory...." (Ephesians 1:12) What an awesome honor and responsibility!

I think it’s awesome to consider that we should have been, and could have been, like her.  But tragically, sin has mutated us; we're not what the Lord intended us to be.   Mercy is a gratuitous gift of God.  By “gratuitous” I mean that it is not merited or earned.  Mercy is not owed to us by God.  If it were, it would not be mercy, it would be our right.  But we have no right to mercy.  It is freely given by God and it is given in abundance.  Happily, through the generous outpouring of His merciful love we’re called to repentance.  Our lost innocence is restored, and the supernatural outpouring of His grace inclines us to respond in love, as did Mary.

So let’s rejoice on this Holy Day and thank God for His Beautiful Mother who has embraced us as her children.  Let us listen to her instructions and follow her example so that one day in the heavenly Jerusalem we may love the Lord as she does.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you!  Blessed are you among women and blessed is the Fruit of your womb, Jesus!

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners; now, and at the hour of our death. 

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!  Amen.