8 December 2014— GOSPEL LK 1:26-38

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

GOSPEL LK 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

Reflection:

Today, v celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is sinless. Every human being is born in sin, v all participate in d sin of Adam, i.e. Original Sin. God by a singular privilege, had prevented the Blessed Virgin Mary frm d contagion of sin & has preserved her in purity.

As she was going to b d Mother of God, God had, by a unique & singular privilege, prevented her frm d stain of Original Sin frm d very moment of her conception in her mother's womb.

The Blessed Virgin Mary was free frm any inclination towards evil. Due to d effects of d Original Sin, v hv a tendency towards sin. V fall again & again into temptation. Bt the Blessed Virgin Mary by d grace of God Almighty was preserved frm d tendency towards evil.

She never committed sins in her life. There was never a single moment in her life when she had ever offended d love of God. She was preserved by God's grace.

As v celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us pray to her for her help & protection in our continual efforts to overcome sin in us. May God bless all our efforts to overcome our sins.

Jesus loves u. Happy Feast. Enjoy ur day wt Jesus. God bless.