12/8/2011 – Homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – Thursday - Luke 1:26 - 38; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

          Even though today’s celebration of the Immaculate Conception is designated a holy day of obligation, even though it goes back to a theology developed in the early Church, many faithful Catholics today would have a difficult time explaining what this solemnity is all about.  When many of us hear the word “conception,” we might think that this celebration is all about how Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb miraculously and without sin. Yet, today’s celebration is all about how Mary herself was conceived in her mother’s womb without sin.

During Advent this season, we have been following the signs that are all around us, that lead us to the birth of Jesus into our hearts and into our world.  The Immaculate Conception is one of those signs, as our focus in the Gospel today is on the motherhood of Mary.  It is important for us to remember that we don’t honor Mary for her own sake, but rather Mary always points us in the direction of her Son, she always helps us increase our faith in him. 

Today’s solemnity of the Immaculate Conception honors Mary’s unique role in the history of salvation, for the redemption that is accomplished through the Son of God.  In today’s Gospel, the Angel of the Lord greets Mary with these simple words: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.”  We pray these very words again and again each time we pray the rosary. Through our understanding that Mary herself was conceived without sin, through the dogma of the Immaculate Conception that was declared by Pope Pius IX in 1854, we are able to understand that even before the actual conception of our Savior Jesus Christ in Mary’s womb, Mary is proclaimed full of grace by our Lord. 

Mary cooperated with God & accepted His will in her life, even though the words the Angel spoke were very troubling to her at first.  She could have rejected the message brought by the angel.  She could have followed her own will and her own desires. Yet, by Mary saying “yes” to God, Jesus as the Word of God was made incarnate & brought into the world.  Mary becomes a handmaid of the Lord. She submits herself to God’s will even though she doesn’t fully understand how this can be happening because she indeed is still a virgin.  The Angel announces that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, that she will bear a child that will be called holy, that this child will be the Son of God. 

In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul exhorts us to live a life of holiness, to live in a way that praises and glorifies God.  Mary provides a great example for us in how we should live a life of holiness, in how we should live out our discipleship in Christ.  Mary does not run away from God in fear – she doesn’t look for a quick fix that would make her life easier & more full of earthly pleasures.  Mary submits herself to God, choosing to do his will & to look at the blessings that God has given her in her life.  Mary chooses to give God thanks and praise.   

Today, as we honor Mary as our Mother, as we celebrate the Immaculate Conception, we strive to grow in our life of discipleship during this holy season of Advent.  Today, may we pray for ourselves & for our brothers & sisters, that we may all grow in our devotion and love of Mary.