Immaculate Conception

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2018 – Cycle ABC Genesis 3:9-15,20; Psalm 98; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38

“Hail, Mary, full of grace…”  In prayer, we place on our lips the words of the great Archangel Gabriel. But what does it mean to be filled with “grace”?

This past week, the Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, numerous times used the word “grace” in relation to a free society and to President George H. W. Bush as he spoke about him in the rotunda of the Capitol.  We refer to the dancing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as filled with grace; referring to their elegance and refinement of movement.  We are grateful for the offer of a grace period, a postponement, to pay our bills, mortgage or taxes.  And Christians pray what is called, “grace” before and after meals; words of humility that acknowledge our thanks that all good gifts come from God.  Grace also refers to a polite way of behaving or as a title for certain aristocratic and ecclesiastical offices.

Are any of these the meaning behind what Gabriel’s greeting meant: postponement, a manner of living in a republic, humility, elegance or behaviour?

The Greek of the Gospel literally means, “Rejoice, highly favoured daughter.  God is with you”.  Notice that Luke places the emphasis on God.  God has favoured Mary of Nazareth and God is keeping the promise made to be with his people.

Because the Gospel passage chosen for this feast is the Annunciation to Mary about the birth of Jesus, many Catholics mistakenly confuse our belief in the Immaculate Conception with our belief in the virgin birth of Jesus.  Actually, the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Mary by her parents, Anne and Joachim.  This favour, this free choice by God that Mary be sinless began from the first moments of Mary’s life in the womb.

But is Mary unique in this favour?

Is not sinlessness, that is, holiness, what God intended and intends for all humanity?  Were not Adam and Eve holy and sinless until the act of disobedience and the beginning of blaming each other which marred the image and likeness of God in each of them?

And what about you and me?  Are we not part of this destiny God planned for humanity?

Paul is clear about this:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,who…chose us in [Christ],…to be holy and without blemish before him.In love [God] destined us …for the praise of the glory of his gracethat [was] granted us in the beloved, [Jesus Christ].In [Christ] we were also chosen,…”

In other words, “Rejoice, highly favoured sons and daughters.  God is with you.”  God has destined you.  God has chosen you.  God has favoured you.  In the conception of Mary as sinless we see our hope and life.  A hope that was lost in the garden but regained in another garden where sin and death were not allowed to prevail.

And as for Mary?  We will praise God in the Preface of the today’s feast:

It is truly right and just… to give you thanks…eternal God.

For you preserved the Most Blessed Virgin Maryfrom all stain of original sin,so that in her, endowed with the rich fullness of your grace,you might…signify the beginning of the Church,[a] beautiful Bride without spot or wrinkle.

She, the most pure Virgin…you placed [as] a model of holiness.