Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Fr Hermogenes Bacareza SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – December 8
Today we celebrate the very special way in which God prepared Mary to be the mother of Jesus. God preserved her from original sin. She was conceived immaculately in the womb of her mother without the stain of sin.
The Immaculate Conception is a wonderful grace upon the life of Mary. It is no wonder that the angel Gabriel could greet her so honorably when he brought the news of the Incarnation of Jesus: “Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you!”
Mary’s entire life was filled with the grace of God. It is interesting to note how Mary responded to the fullness of God’s grace in her life. She was free to respond in any number of ways, but she chose to cooperate with the grace of God in her life by answering: “I am the maidservant of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word!”
The Immaculate Conception is a wonderful grace of God also upon us… It is a beautiful example of God’s continued interaction in our life. God has a plan of salvation for us. Even though we will seek to frustrate God’s plans, God’ love for us cannot be stopped. His grace is continually being poured forth upon the earth. Through this grace, God is drawing all of creation to Himself.
How are we to respond to the grace of God in our lives? First of all, we need to believe in God’s presence. We, too, are called to be holy and without blemish before God. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ. What a great blessing we have in belonging to God as his children, for in Christ we are destined for holiness and glory.
Secondly, we must seek to cooperate with the grace of God in our lives. Mary, a human being like us, shows us how to do so. She is a model for us of how human freedom can respond to the grace of God in life. We have been touched by the sin of Adam and Eve but we also have been washed clean of sin and united to Christ in baptism. Through Christ, we have been empowered to resist the snares of evil and to do the will of God. With the power of Christ in our lives and the example of Mary our Blessed Mother, we can place ourselves in the service of the Lord.
In His great love for us, God chose Mary to give birth to our Divine Savior. This grace upon her life has resulted in a blessing for all of us. Mary received God’s grace and responded with her famous words: “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word! “How do we respond to God, if we really are recipients of so many graces in our lives?
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