Wednesday 13 November 2013

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Solemnity

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In today's readings, we see the response of Adam who disobeyed and hid in fear and shame. On the other hand we see Mary who responds as a disciple and said "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me."

Mary trusted God totally even though she could have doubted and feared the consequences of saying yes to God. Despite the dangers and challenges she would face, she still said yes. She was the faithful disciple, the first to believe in Jesus, the first to receive him and give flesh to His body.

Mary said yes to the angel, yes to a life she never expected, yes to the sword that would pierce her heart, yes to the cross, yes to the unknown future ahead of her and always yes to her Son. God is always seeking us out, to love us, to care for us. When God calls us as he called Adam “Where are you”? How do we respond? Do we respond like Adam, embarrassed by our sins and hiding in fear, hoping that God will eventually leave us alone and let us be, or do we respond like Mary did, saying  "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me."

Let us look toward Mary as our model of discipleship, and reflect on our own response to God’s call. Have we been selective in our response, picking and choosing only that which suits us? Or have we been striving hard to be like our Heavenly Mother, Mary, who gave her all, inspiring us to also give our all for the greater glory of God?

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