Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

It stuns me that everything on this planet constantly changes as much as our Creator is constant, giving us guidance and stability. John’s gospel starts with “In the beginning was the Word,” and Genesis begins with “the earth was a formless void.” A lot of awareness was gained between the two times.

I can only imagine how much God prepared Mary to be greeted by Gabriel over the centuries, which were the necessary genes for Jesus to do his work.  And she responds in trusting faith: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord.”  With the hint that Elizabeth was with child, Mary takes off to minister to her.  Soon after that, she’s riding a donkey to David’s city, is confronted by Simeon and Anna, then chased into Egypt.  Yes, she is the obedient handmaid of the Lord.

Can you see the shock on Mary’s face when Jesus says, “Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?”  Later, Mary looks Jesus in the eye, turns to the servers at Cana, and says, “Do whatever he tells you.”  Then the handmaid of the Lord was at the foot of Jesus’ cross and heard him say, “Woman, behold your son.  Son, behold your mother.”  The mother of the Son of God is now my mother, too.

My calling is not Mary’s, Jesus’, my spouse’s, my parents’, my children’s, or my co-workers’ calling.  I was born with a set of tools to do God’s commands, and I am learning to use those tools for the Creator’s ongoing plans as the world opens opportunities that surprise and challenge me.  When I am before Him in the Eucharist, I listen more and talk less, having learned that I don’t hear well when I’m talking.  Mary is an excellent example.  I have my calling.

Let Us Pray:

Pour forth, I beseech you, O Lord, your grace into my heart.  Just as Mary responded to Gabriel’s message, I might reach into the closet of my heart for the tools I have been given to do the work I am assigned and open my gifts to share with others.  Through your bountiful love.  Amen.