Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Which is a major source of misconception even among us Catholics.
Even in my case before, too!
Growing up, I have always asked…
Why would we need to pause to honor Mary, in the middle of Advent, while preparing for a big party with Jesus for Christmas?
Late have I realized that the Immaculate Conception is not about the conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb.
It’s about the conception of Mary in her mother’s womb years before!
This day honors the truth that she was conceived in the womb of St. Anne (her mother), free from original sin, something you and I are conceived with.
This has me left wondering, does that mean Mary was not in need of a Savior?
Some saints struggled with this truth, including St. Thomas Aquinas.
He feared that it implied that Mary didn’t need a Savior.
But overtime, the cloud of misconception was cleared out and the truth was revealed.
Mary was indeed full of grace (Luke 1:28). She was chosen to be that pure vessel even before the angel’s visit.
She was so filled with the love of the Holy Spirit that sin had no room for it to take root in her!
So like the rest of us, Mary needed a Savior as well. God just did it in a different way.
Mary “was redeemed by the merits of her Son” (CCC 492).
While Jesus died on the cross to remove our sins, He died to preserve Mary from it.
Because of our Lord’s love for His Mother, He saved her from original sin at her very conception…
And thus, Our Lady is all pure, sinless, and immaculate!
Today, let us go beyond misconceptions about the Immaculate Conception.
Study about the Immaculate Conception in the links provided below, and see the beauty of this dogma.
Let us strive hard to be “perfect just as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48) by following the example of Mary, full of beauty, goodness, and virtue.
Give yourself entirely to Mary, in heart, mind, body, and soul, and she will truly cast away your doubts, and lead you to Her Son, her Savior and our Savior!
Go beyond misconceptions.
Totus Tuus, Maria!
Reflection Points:
1. What are the misconceptions in your life right now that prevent you from seeing the truths of our faith?
2. Where are you on your life journey right now? Do you ask help from our Savior or you leave Him as the last option?
3. Do you strive hard to be pure and virtuous, like Mary?
Call to Action:
1. Ask for Mary’s intercession as you prepare in the coming of Christ this Season. Ask her in particular for the grace of purity, chastity and humility, as a way of preparing for the coming of Christ this season. Allow her to inspire you to go to the Sacrament of Confession and receive Him in a state of grace in the Eucharist.
2. Pray the Holy Rosary to honor the Immaculate Conception.
3. Pray for someone who is struggling to live a life of chastity, that may s/he overcome their struggles, and be pure & chaste like Mary.
4. When given the opportunity, explain and defend the Immaculate Conception to a friend (whether Catholic or not)... clearly, but without being preachy.
5. Listen to this sermon about the Immaculate Conception —> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRdciiE3UTA
6. Read how to defend the Immaculate Conception in this link —> https://www.catholic.com/.../how-to-defend-the-immaculate...
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