The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Solemnity
Gospel Luke 1:26-38
“Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you”. This grace comes from the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary in the womb of Anna without original sin, that twist in our nature that makes our will tend not to follow what it knows to be right. It was this grace that enabled Mary to give a true and considered “Yes” to the request, conveyed by the Angel Gabriel, that she should consent to be the mother of the incarnate God. Mary’s “Yes” was a leap of faith into the unknown. She could not fully comprehend the implications of Gabriel’s words, yet she trusted God completely. This trust reminds us that God’s plans often transcend our understanding. Like Mary, we are invited to surrender our fears, uncertainties, and limitations to the God who “does great things” (Luke 1:49). In our own lives, God calls us in various ways, sometimes subtly and other times boldly, to participate in His plan of love and redemption. These calls may require us to step out of our comfort zones, to embrace challenges, or to relinquish our own plans. Mary’s example reminds us that saying “Yes” to God, though it may involve sacrifice, leads to the fulfillment of His promises and the joy of being co-workers in His divine mission. This Advent season, as we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation, let us reflect on Mary’s trust and openness to God’s will. May her example inspire us to embrace God’s invitations in our own lives with faith, humility, and courage. Let us ask for the grace to say our own “Yes” to God, confident that He is with us and that His plans for us are always good. Let’s reflect: Am I willing to trust God’s plan for my life, even when it challenges my understanding or requires me to step out of my comfort zone, and how can I grow in the faith and courage needed to say my own “Yes” to His call?
Don Giorgio