Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of the Immaculate
Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (8th December, 2016) on the Gospel and
the Solemnity
Gen 3:9-15.20;
Ps 97:1-4. (R. v.1);Eph 1:3-6.11-12;
Lk 1:26-38.
Topic: Rejoice, favoured one.
Today, the Church celebrates that Mary was conceived in the womb
of her mother, Saint Anne, free from original sin by virtue of the foreseen
merits of her son Jesus Christ. This is better known as the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was dogmatically defined in 1854 by Pope Pius IX
in his papal bull Ineffabilis Deus.
Surely, this solemnity is one of the areas many non-Catholics
question seriously. Just as Mary herself asked in today’s gospel how could it
be possible that she would conceive and bear a son since she is a virgin, some
also ask how could this be possible, cf. Lk
1:34. In my humble opinion, angel Gabriel has the answer: “The Holy Spirit
will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;
therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God” (Lk 1:35). We read in the gospel: “You
will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from
thistles?” (Matt 7:16). It is God
who protected Mary from the original sin because of the task ahead. The angel also
said: “... nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37, NLT).
Just as the Blessed Virgin Mary surrenders to God’s will:
“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word”
(Lk 1:38) God expects each and every
one of us to surrender our wills to Him. Because “Blessed rather are those who
hear the word of God and keep it!” (Lk
11:28; Rev 1:3). We should rejoice because we are favoured by God.
Bible Reading: Lk
11:27-28.
Thought for today: Do you keep the Word of God?
Let us pray: May God help us through the
intercession of Blessed Virgin Mary to give ourselves freely and entirely to
Him – Amen.
Mary conceived without Original Sin –
Pray for us.
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with others if you consider it worthy.
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