Throughout the Advent season we desire to form ourself into a worthy dwelling place who is fit for Christ to come and dwell among us. The Immaculate Conception is the point in history where Mary was prepared to be a worthy dwelling place for the coming of God made Flesh. Defined by Pope Pius IX the Immaculate Conception is the reality that Mary was conceived free from the stain of Original Sin. It is from this reality that she is further depicted as standing upon the head of the cursed serpent who lead Adam and Eve astray.
In our world many have been tricked by the cunning of the devil, but we must continue to hold firm in our practice of faith. We do not have to give into the lies that he presents unto our ears because Mary reflects the path which leads towards an encounter with Jesus Christ. Some fear that God's mercy cannot be extended into their life, but this is untrue. Through the event of the Immaculate Conception we can confidently proclaim that Satan has been trampled under foot and thus there is always hope to cast the cloak of sin behind and to be sent forth as a new creation in Christ.
The angel Gabriel's greeting is very important for us to understand. "Hail, full of grace." Some translations of scripture use the word "favor" over the word "grace." "Grace" on the other hand holds true to the Greek word used and thus reveals to us at whose expense this celebration of the Immaculate Conception is given. "Grace" is a gift which is given by God. "Grace" is not a gift which we can give to ourself. Through the Immaculate Conception Mary perfectly received God's grace into her life to the point where she became the perfect vessel for God to come and dwell.
Today also marks for us the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. What a perfect gift extended unto the Church on a day such as this where our Blessed Mother was extended the gift of God's grace in such abundance. May we set our eyes upon God's mercy and thus desire to welcome it into our life. From the reception of such an abundance of mercy may we be sent into the world to lead others to come and encounter Christ and His mercy. The Year of Mercy is not for you and me who are gathered here alone, but instead it has been showered upon the world as a whole. We can see this from Christ's total offering of self upon the cross.
From Pope Francis' letter to welcome the Church into the Year of Mercy: "When faced with the gravity of sin, God responds with the fullness of mercy." The sin of Adam and Eve led to the mercy of God being showered upon us through the Word taking on human flesh. This event was only possible through the Immaculate Conception for it was here that she was made into a dwelling place which was fit for God to come and dwell. We see the effects of sin upon our life and upon this world, but may we in return never lose sight of God's mercy which springs up as a response from God's love.
May we allow the Blessed Mother to always intercede on our behalf and thus may we allow her to open wide the doors of the Father's mercy for us. She desires to lead us towards Christ and thus assists us in making ourself a worthy dwelling place for her Son to come and dwell.
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