The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Today is a wonderful celebration in the Church. I enjoyed the vigil Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception this evening. I wish I could remember all of Father F.'s homily. The essence of it was: You have to accept both the terrible cross and its burdens, and the crown of joy in this life. Mary is a perfect example of a person who experienced great joy (the birth of the Son of God, watching Him grow and mature, being present during much of His ministry, and, especially the Resurrection., etc) but she also suffered great agony (Jesus' suffering and death). As a mother, I can really empathize with Mary. I have experienced both heartache and great joy with the blessing of my five children.


Today's Gospel
Lk 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.