Feast of the Immaculate Conception

December 8, 2003

Why did the Bible Scholars chose to translate the Greek kekaratomena as "favored" instead of filled with grace? In actuality either translation is correct; it means both favored and graced.

For Mary’s favor or grace, her immaculate state of being is a call to holiness. In one sense it is unique for her, but in another, it is the same call to holiness for all of us. A few weeks ago I came across an explanation which I had never heard before.

Because of Original sin, all of us are in a fallen state of being. We participate in sin in one way or another and are in need of Christ’s redemption. Mary, by the grace of God, being preserved from original sin was nonetheless in need of redemption, which was applied to her by way of anticipation.

When we read the dialogue between the angel Gabriel and Mary in today’s gospel, it is striking, not so much how holy or immaculate and clean that Mary is, but rather how free she is to respond to God’s call.

Even her human limitation does not get in the way. She asks a logical question: How can this be? I have not had relations with a man? When the totally unexpected answer is given: The power of the most High will overshadow you, and the child conceived shall be called the son of God; nothing further held her back from saying yes to God; not fear, or pride, or even false humility. Mary simply said: Be it done to me as you say.

Would we be as free? No, but we don’t have the grace of Immaculate Conception either. But we have been redeemed by Christ by participation in Baptism. We have the potential for that same freedom Mary had through anticipation. Whether by preservation or deliverance the same grace of God is at work in us.

What then is it that holds us back from responding to the call of God in some way in our life? Is it because He needs to send an angel to convince us? Even then we would we be convinced? Is it fear? Is it pride? Is it false humility? These are the fruits of original sin that bind us, but from which Jesus seeks to deliver us if we let Him. If we let Him; if we give God permission, for God in all His grace can do little for us if we are unwilling to let Him, unless like Mary, we are ready to say, "Let it be done as you say."

We pray to Mary as perpetual intercessor. Let us ask her today to help us name those things which prevent us from being truly free, from being favored by God and filled with grace.