The woman untouched by sin is always willing to assist sinners in turning to her Son
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8, 2018): GN 3:9-15,20; PS 98:1,2-3,3-4; EPH 1:3-6,11-12; LK 1:26-38
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
On this holy day we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception.
It was at the very moment that Mary was conceived within her mother’s womb that she received the special gift of the Eternal Father that kept her free of original sin. Mary was the first person since Almighty God created Adam and Eve to have such a pure soul. Because of her cooperation with God’s will, revealed at the time that the Incarnation of Jesus was announced to her, we are freed from the devastation of sin and death. St. Paul offered this prayer that reminds us what is means to be without sin. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before Him” (Ephesians 1:3-4).
Yet, our Immaculate Mother is also known as the “refuge of sinners.” And no one, except God Himself, wants us to accept the redemption offered us by the death and resurrection of Christ, Son of God and of Mary, more than the Blessed Virgin Mary. Every one of us can approach Jesus through His mother by entrusting ourselves to her care. And, on this solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, patron of the United States of America, to pray for her guidance in all we do in service to our Savior.
Suggested missionary action: In honor of our Blessed Mother on this holy day, let us reach out to assist young mothers in need of special help. Let us offer them prayer and material support.
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