HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR TODAY: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
THEME: “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
By: Fr. Karabari Paul
The Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception today. The Church teaches and believes firmly, as a doctrine, that Mary was preserved from the stain of Original Sin by virtue of the Death of Jesus Christ which was forseen. Put it simply, the sin of Adam and Eve corrupts and stains the human lineage (Genesis 3:9-15.20). Every human being after them becomes a product of this contaminated stock; and must inherit it. God becoming man and who is far above the corruption of sin must be given a special and worthy dwelling.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: FRIDAY: HOMILY FOR SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
This merit is that of Jesus Christ. Mary was to bring forth the innocent and blameless Lamb who was to fix what had been destroyed by Adam and Eve. One who is yoked can’t destroy its own yoke. St Paul speaks directly to the merit of Mary’s preservation from the stain of sin when he says, “….He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” (Ephesians 3:6, 11-12). It is possible, St Paul affirms, for God to preserve a being even before the foundation of the world to be blameless. The message of the Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38) confirms Mary as full of grace. Fullness of grace signifies a special goodness that separates an individual from the rest of the people. For St Paul says, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the grace of God.” Fullness of grace means a special consecration. The sin of Adam and Eve means that human beings lost the fullness of grace which kept their ancestral father and mother in the garden. They lost favour on the side of God. So that the Angel Gabriel had to qualify his message by adding, “You have found favour with God.” God’s favour for an individual shows preference for that individual over others.
But it is one thing to be set aside for a mission, and entirely a different thing to carry out the mission. The foreknowledge of God doesn’t impede human freedom. God knew the mission of Mary but she had to be consulted and dialogued with. Mary submitted without asking the Angel to go settle with Joseph or her family members. The whole life of Mary is divine designed to be a message to all Christians. She is to be an advocate of grace, a model of obedience and holiness. In her it is once demonstrated that indeed “For God nothing will be impossible.” To deny the possibility of Immaculate Conception is to outrightly deny the power of God and make Him a liar in divine initiation. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. God bless you and your household always through Christ Our Lord Amen. Happy Solemnity. Good morning.
FOR SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>