The Immaculate Conception

I like that we begin this feast with the reading from the book of Genesis.  Sin enters the world through the disobedience of men and women, but through our human nature, the Word of God made flesh, we are restored to the relationship with God.  The Immaculate Conception is that Mary is not affected by the brokenness of Original Sin.  Mary who becomes the Theotokos, the sacred 'God-carrier, has been set 'aside' so as to be a worthy place for the Prince of Peace, Christ the King.

Now while we do not readily associate evangelization with this feast, it does present itself very nicely.  Both Pope John Paul II, and our present Pontiff, Benedict XVI, have made it clear that our announcing the Good News is of utmost importance in our world toady.  Many people have either moved away from faith-filled living, or have never heard the message of Jesus Christ.  More so we live in a place where there is real hostility towards truth, values, and justice.  Human dignity and respect are under attack.

In his post-modern era everyone is right, and no one is wrong.  In the news recently people had protested the actions taken against an individual who was knowledgeable of criminal and harmful behaviour.  We hold in high esteem those in the public spotlight those whose lifestyles are less than exemplary, and deride those who stand for goodness and truth.

So today we celebrate the unconditional Yes of Mary.  Here is a woman who began her journey being troubled and confused.  The angel told her that she was "Blessed" and "Highly Favoured."  In a stable in Bethlehem she is filled with joy as she witnesses the visitors and excitement of this child.  When Jesus is lost in the temple she feels the first pangs of losing a child.  Jesus' ministry delights and frightens her at the same time.  The sorrow at the cross is overwhelming to be sure.

Mary becomes an 'everyman,' and 'everywoman' as she experiences the joys and sorrows of life.  But that vision of an angel, and the words spoken to her remain constant in her life.  One can almost imagine that she returns to these mysterious experiences again and again as a source of hope and of joy.  In the Magnificat she praises the faithfulness of God.

Like Mary, people of faith who recognize that they are blessed by God, become witness of the faith they profess.  In telling the story about Mary we  also tell about this faithfulness that God has in each of us.  We too can proclaim the greatness of God when we come to know that God has done great things for us.  And like Mary, when we encounter the joys of love, and the deep sorrows of loss, we know that we can rely on Jesus - God saves his people.