We hear a lot from Mary during these weeks of Advent. Mary, of course, is an important part of the Christmas story. We hear from Mary this weekend in the apparition of our Lady of Guadalupe, which we celebrate with our Hispanic community tonight. We hear from Mary on the 4th Sunday of Advent in the Gospel reading of Mary’s visitation with her cousin Elizabeth. Today, we celebrate Mary in a special way in the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
But what exactly is the reality of Mary as we meet her during Advent? Mary was a poor Jewish woman of faith. She was a partner with God in his plan of salvation, as she revealed God’s love as constant, gracious, and compassionate. But Mary’s vocation to bring God’s kingdom of justice and mercy to the reality of human life here on earth is also our vocation.
As we celebrate the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception today, we hear the story of the annunciation from the Gospel of Luke, of the Archangel Gabriel announcing the Good News of Christ’s upcoming birth to her.
As we celebrate this feast of the Immaculate Conception, we’ve just heard proclaimed the annunciation story in the gospel of Luke, of the Archangel Gabriel announcing the Good News of Christ’s upcoming birth to her. To Mary and to the world, the annunciation is an “earth-shattering, life-changing, revolutionary call” according to Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister. Mary’s world and our world is turned completely around. This is not some idealized version of our faith. Mary’s life is not a life of riches and privilege. This is the down-to-earth reality of our Blessed Mother, of a Mother who can relate to us as her children. This is the Blessed Mother who obeyed God in her role in his plan of salvation.
As we honor this solemnity to celebrate how Mary was immaculately conceived in her mother’s womb, we honor her and give thanks for her presence in our lives as she accompanies us on our journey as we ourselves prepared for the birth of our Lord.
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