The
dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary was defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854.
While many believers in our faith still think that the Immaculate Conception
concerns Jesus birth through Mary, this dogma instead affirms our belief that
the Blessed Virgin Mary herself was free from sin right from the very beginning
of her life. By the grace of God, Mary was shielded from the original sin which
all of humanity inherits at the very moment we begin life, at the moment of
conception. Mary came into the world with a perfect human nature like that of
Adam and Eve before they sinned and before they fell from grace. God gave Mary
this perfect human nature not as a reward for anything she did, not on account
of any merit on her part, not for anything she earned, but instead for her role
in the history of salvation, namely, that of being the mother of God's Son. The
doctrine of the Immaculate Conception tells us something about who Mary is.
But, maybe it also tells us more about who God is and who we are in light of
God's love.
God's
plan of redemption is fulfilled in the birth of His Son. Our world will celebrate that birth in
several week on Christmas morning. Mary
forms an integral part of this plan of salvation. Mary is not only the
Mother of Our Lord - the “theotokos” – the “God bearer” - but she also serves
as Mother of the Church and Our Mother as well. Mary accepts the message
of the archangel Gabriel in today's Gospel from Luke. Mary’s acceptance of this message is her
humble submission to God's will. Mary serves as a foreshadowing of our
promised heavenly inheritance not only by being Jesus' mother, but also by
being given unique gifts of grace by God. Mary serves as the exemplary
model of how each of us should respond to God's will in our lives.
In
his Letter to the Church at Ephesus, Paul teaches us that today's feast also
rightfully accords honor to God the Father who has established His plan of salvation
through Jesus and Mary. Our salvation forms part of that plan. We
cannot achieve this salvation under our own power or by something we initiate
ourselves. Whereas our earthly reality is ephemeral and will come to an end,
God promises us eternal life with Him in heaven if we accept him into our
heart, if we live out Jesus’ teachings and live out our faith.
Today's celebration of the Immaculate Conception communicates to us that
God's promises are still available for all of us. Today we celebrate the
way that Mary is always ready to intercede for us with her Son to obtain the
graces necessary to obtain that promised heavenly reward. May the honor
and love we give to Mary on this holy day accomplish what Mary always hopes
for: to bring us ever closer to her Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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