Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Presence of God.
Grace I Ask:
Let me understand how your Immaculate Conception should affect me.
The Idea:
When I recall that Mary was free from the moment of her conception from all stain of original sin, I understand what is said-but does this have any effect on my life? Mary is my mother. She was conceived immaculate because of her divine Son-but her motherhood of me is also affected by her sinlessness.
When I came into the world, I was dead to real life, sanctifying grace. At Baptism I was "born" to this life and, in a sense, Mary became the Mother of this life of mine. Does it mean nothing to me that my mother is completely without sin? A child naturally resembles its mother; at birth the resemblance is slight, because the child has hardly begun to live-but the resemblance grows as the child grows older, and soon it begins to imitate and acquire even the habits and mannerisms of its mother.
How should I resemble Mary? In her sinlessness.
When we want to get a picture of Mary, we think of the words of the Apocalypse: "A woman clothed with the sun"; the meaning is clear if we remember that "darkness" stands for sin, and "light" for sinlessness -- Mary, the supremely sinless, immaculate one.
My Personal Application:
My response to this mother of mine will be, first, to keep all darkness, stain, sin, out of my life. But most importantly, I will imitate this sun-clad mother and her Son -- the Light of the world -- in living my act of consecration to her, and by heeding the call to apostolic action: "So let your light shine before men that they may see your good works"
I Speak to Christ: Lord, I thank you for giving me this great gift-your Immaculate Mother. Fill my soul with this light which is really life so that I may ever more and more be like your Immaculate Mother.
Thought for Today:
0 Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
December 13
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