Fr. Rick’s Gospel Reflection for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

December 8, 2024, Luke 1:26-38

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120924.cfm

May it be done to me according to your word.

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Coming so close to Christmas, it is easy to assume we are talking about Jesus’ conception, especially since our Gospel reading is the story of the Annunciation.

However, today’s feast is about Mary.

According to the Catechism, “Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, ‘full of grace’ through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception” (491).

Mary was blessed to be the mother of God, and so God prepared her by keeping her free from original sin, the sin we inherit from our first parents. 

The first reading tells the story of what happened to Adam and Eve after they ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Adam blames the woman for giving it to him. The woman blames the serpent for tricking her.

Saint Irenaeus famously said that “what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith” (see CCC 494).
The fact that Mary was predestined to be Jesus’ mother did not deprive her of her free will; she was given a choice.

“God asked for Mary’s cooperation, and with the help of God’s grace, she said yes.
Her fiat, her willingness to believe that nothing will be impossible for God, is what makes her the supreme model of faith (CCC 148).

”God offers us the same saving grace in every situation, every decision we make.

“Like Mary offered God the freedom to do with her whatever pleased him, let us place all our trust in God.
“If we have any impossible situations, especially after the hurricanes, let it be done as He says.

Know it will. That’s all God needs, our trust.”  Source: Faith Catholic.

Love your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.blessedsacrament