The Feast of the Immaculate Conception centers on God’s loving power to make us holy. Our Blessed Mother’s integrity and holiness right from the moment of her Conception is not something she achieved by her own power. It is a pure gift of God, given to her for a saving purpose. It was “in her genes,” as we might say today, on behalf of us all. For it was supremely fitting that the woman who brought our Savior into the world should be herself totally free from sin and fully available to do God’s work.
Belief in the Immaculate Conception of Mary is belief in a provident God, who provides for the future, who prepares His children for their assigned task in life even before they are born; it is belief in a God who foresees and equips us with all the natural and supernatural qualities we need to play our assigned role in the drama of human salvation.
Let us pray. “God most high, from the first moment of her Conception you favored the Virgin Mary with your grace, so that she might become the Mother of the world’s Redeemer. As you blessed her, a daughter of Israel, so grant us the grace to be fully engaged in your service, always eager to do your will. Hasten that day of gladness when you will bring to completion your saving work, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
