A Reward of Faith!

Friday, December 8, 2023

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38

Today, we celebrate the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception!

Mother Mary, the first and faithful disciple of God, helps us in our journey of discipleship. 

Mother Mary was chosen by God as His instrument to bring forth Jesus the Redeemer. But Mary does not remain idle after God chooses her. Rather, she qualifies her choice through her faithfulness. This is how Mother Mary becomes our example for imitating Jesus.  

The feast of the Immaculate Conception reminds us of three things about our journey of faith. 

1.Our birth has a mission. Analyzing Mother Mary’s birth, which was preordained to bring forth the Redeemer into the world, we understand that our birth also has a similar vocation. Our mission is to actively cooperate with God’s plan for the world. We are chosen to be God’s instruments, and we should justify God’s choice of us. In this light, we are called to reflect on our life’s mission today. 

2. Our faith demands a response. Faith is a responsible journey. It involves our faithful response. Mother Mary helps us understand such a responsibility. Mary, the first disciple’s ‘yes’ is our inspiration for imitation of her model. The first people, Adam and Eve, who were created immaculate, shattered God’s dream through their disobedience. It took Mary’s ‘yes’ for God to reactivate His plan for humanity through Jesus Christ. Mary’s ‘yes’ in faith is our model. 

3. There is a reward for our faith. Mother Mary always lived her life from God’s perspective. This is why she has been made to partake of the glory of heaven. However, this is not just the exclusive privilege of Mother Mary. That gift has been generously extended to everyone. Following Mother Mary’s example, we know and believe that we will all be elevated to that state if our lives are lived from God’s perspective as Mary did. The promise of such a reward should animate our journey of discipleship. 

Let us pray that we may imitate Mary’s model to reach Jesus!

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar