Blessed Like Mary
December 8, 2005 The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (B) - Blue
The Liturgy for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception uses the story of the Fall in Genesis 3:9-15, 20 as the first reading, suggesting the Mary/Eve comparison. The second reading from Ephesians 1:3-6, 11, 12, speaks of those who are chosen in Christ, emphasizing the "mysterious purpose of God, "Who foresaw the redemption worked in His Son. Those chosen are to be "holy and spotless." The Gospel is the Annunciation account (Luke 1:26-28) relating Mary’s Immaculate Conception to her maternity.
THE 150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROMULGATION OF THE DOGMA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
(Dec. 8, 1854 to Dec. 8, 2004)
"We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance 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, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful."
THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONCLUSION OF THE SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
(Dec. 8, 1965 to Dec. 8, 2005)
On December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Council formally concluded, with an outdoor Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Paul VI addressed the whole world, in greeting and invitation. “Is it not perhaps in directing our gaze on this woman who is our humble sister and at the same time our heavenly mother and queen, the spotless and sacred mirror of infinite beauty, that we can terminate the spiritual ascent of the Council…? Is it not here that our post-conciliar work can begin? Does not the beauty of Mary immaculate become for us an inspiring model? A comforting hope?”
"Father, You prepared the Virgin Mary to be the worthy mother of Your Son."
Today, we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This dogma of the Catholic Church presents to us lessons about the Blessed Virgin Mary, as the Mother of God, and as the Mother of the Church:
Mary is beautiful. God presents himself to humanity through beautiful things. True enough, God revealed himself to us through Mary, the most beautiful virgin Mother. Look at her beautiful eyes and see how she loves each and every one of us. Look at her beautiful smile and see how deep her tender touch of love inebriates in our hearts.
Mary is blessed. In his loving plan of salvation, God prepared the Virgin Mary, from her moment of conception, to be the Immaculate Mother of his only-begotten Son. Mary, thus opened the doors for the coming of the Messianic Age. Hence, Mary is blessed by the Lord so much that she affirmed it in her words, "I am the maidservant of the Lord."
Mary is humble. God chooses among those who are lowly and unblemished. Mary is the perfect example of humility in this material world. She invites us to be humble also in our ways.
On this great feast of Our Lady, we invited therefore to be arks of God’s covenants and be blessed like Mary, our Immaculate Mother.
