“All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.” (Psalm 98:3-4)
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8, 2021): 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.
Today’s Gospel introduces her on the day God’s messenger Gabriel announces that the Almighty has chosen her to bear the long-awaited Messiah.
Today is the beautiful Holy Day when we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception. This refers specifically to the moment of Mary’s conception within the womb of her mother St. Anne. It recognizes the miraculous gift of her freedom from original sin. Unlike all other people, Mary was preserved for every instant of her life from the sin we inherited from our first parents. This was possible only through the future merits of the Son of God who would become her Son. Body and soul, the Blessed Virgin was ever ready to cooperate with God’s grace and will and to contribute uniquely to the salvation of the world. Today’s Gospel introduces her on the day God’s messenger Gabriel announces that the Almighty has chosen her to bear the long-awaited Messiah. He immediately refers to her state of grace: “The angel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, ‘Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you. … Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus’” (Luke 1:26-28,30-31). This humble, generous young woman gave herself over entirely to God’s plan for the redemption of His beloved children. Her fidelity and obedience opened the way for the coming of Christ and His defeat of sin and death.
While the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been traditionally revered for centuries, it was less than 200 hundred years ago that the Church’s recognition became official. In 1846, the bishops of the United States of America unanimously chose “the Virgin Mary, conceived without Sin” as the country’s patron. Finally, Pope Pius IX declared the Immaculate Conception of Mary to be an accepted dogma of the Church in 1854.
Suggested missionary action: On this great Solemnity, let us rejoice in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We can offer a World Mission Rosary for the spiritual and material well-being of those who do not yet embrace Christ as Redeemer and King.
