The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 8, 2003
Second week of Advent
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
(Monday is a Holyday of Obligation)

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 3:9-15,20
Psalm 98:1-4
Ephesians 1:3-6,,11-12
Luke 1:26-38

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception we are reminded of the perfection of our Blessed Mother, and sadly, our own imperfection. She always, and in every way, was wholly pleasing to God. Her every desire and action was always in response to the Divine Will of God. Though a creature with a free will, she had (unlike us), no inclination to sin.

It is awesome to consider that we should have been -- could have been -- like her. Tragically, sin has mutated us; we're not what the Lord intended us to be. Happily, through the generous outpouring of His merciful love we are called to repentance. Our lost innocence is restored and the supernatural outpouring of His grace inclines us to respond in love -- as did Mary.

Let us rejoice on this Holy Day and thank God for His Beautiful Mother who has embraced us as her children. Let us listen to her instructions and follow her example so that one day in the heavenly Jerusalem we may love the Lord as she does.

- Donna Nelson, ocds

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posted by joachim at 4:23 AM