Immaculate Conception Homily

Today we observe the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the commemoration of the 2nd Sunday of Advent.

The Immaculate Conception is the infallible statement that Mary was conceived without the stain of sin which includes original sin. This is not an achievement made by her, but by God who worked on her behalf in order that she would be the pure and spotless vessel that would be the mother of Christ.

Theotokos is a Greek title given to Mary which means “God-bearer” or “Mother of God.” This is a statement which points towards the divinity of Christ. He is both fully human and fully divine. Through the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary He became flesh and made His dwelling place among us.

It is this womb which contained the very presence of God. In the Old Testament it was the Ark of the Covenant which held God’s presence. The ark had to be pure and spotless due to the one which it contained, God. Likewise, Mary becomes the New Ark of the Covenant for she is the God-bearer.

At the Annunciation the angel Gabriel came to Mary and exclaimed, “Hail, full of grace!” This salutation is significant for it conveys the truth that Mary was conceived without the stain of sin and was in the state of grace at this moment in time. This is so because she was filled with grace to its fullest degree by God for in the past as she was prepared for this role in salvation history.

In the Book of Acts we are told that Saint Stephen was “filled with grace.” Despite being the same word in the English language it is a different word in the Greek. What is being implied by its use in connection to Saint Stephen would be the same that could be used concerning us through our baptism or sacramental confession.

As we continue this Advent journey we must be concerned with opening our heart unto God in order that we may be found receptive to the gift of His grace. It is through our willingness to entertain temptation and fall into the occasion of sin that we turn away from such a reality. Where we have been thrust into darkness we must allow the Lord in His mercy to lift us out of it.

The Blessed Mother is often depicted standing on top of a serpent for in the words of the Book of Genesis, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.” Through her intercession may we come to more perfectly open ourself up to the grace of God and turn away from the assaults of the devil for she has already crushed him under her foot.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.