Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Luke 1:26-38
In today's gospel, the Archangel Gabriel greets the virgin Mary with "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
Think for a minute about the words "Full of Grace." How can someone be "full of grace?" We sinful human beings are all a mix of grace and sin, goodness and wounded human nature. So, how can any one of us be "full of grace"? We can't! But Mary can.
She was literally "full" of grace because sin had no place in her. Her soul had no stain of sin EVER from the very moment of her conception. This unique favor from God we call her "Immaculate Conception."
Why did God grant Mary this complete purity of soul?
For one reason: so that Mary was worthy to be the mother of the Son of God! She was integral to His plan for redemption. So, right from the beginning, from the time Adam and Eve sinned, God planned ahead.
He planned to create Mary to be completely without sin, and thus, ready to become the mother of God. With her freely given "yes" to Gabriel, the divine plan went forward. She became the Mother of the Redeemer and preparation for that redemption, which affects each of us very personally, began at the point in time when Mary was first conceived. Her soul was immaculate, right from the start. Thus, there was a perfect, sinless, human being, waiting to give The Word flesh from her own sinless human flesh.
Thank You, Father God,
for giving the virgin Mary the unique gift of being immaculately conceived. You chose for your Son a human of perfect purity to receive His perfect divinity. Your ways, O Lord, are merciful and loving. And I accept with deep awe, the wonderful favor of how You created Mary. For it is through Jesus, her son and Yours, that I am saved.
Amen.
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo
Australia
