MARY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

 

By Fr. Casmir Odundo

On a day like today, exactly 166 years ago (8^th December 1854) Pope Pius  IX issued the Apostolic Constitution, Ineffabilis Deus,  in which he pronounced and defined the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception. He stated that, “the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin."

This means that Mary was given immunity from original sin. She was given sanctifying grace before sin could have taken effect in her soul. Whereas, Original sin is the “General rule” for all of humanity, Mary is thus the singular exemption to that rule. Again, whereas, original sin is removed from the rest of humanity through baptism, Mary was completely excluded from it. Mary was thus depraved of all emotions, passions, and frailties, essentially pertaining to original sin. She was thus conceived in a state of original sanctity, innocence, and justice.  These exemptions however, did not include as the Catholic Encyclopedia explains, exemptions from the temporal penalties of Adam, i.e. from sorrow, bodily infirmities, and death. Christ therefore paid her mother’s ”debt” before she fell into debt. By way of analogy, while the rest of humanity was saved by Christ out of the “pit” of sin. Mary, was saved by being prevented from falling into the pit. 

Pope Pius IX

By defining the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the Pope actually did not introduce a new idea, he simply affirmed and defined what the Church had believed and lived for many years before as is evidenced by the writings of the Fathers of the Church.

What can we learn from the Immaculate Conception of Mary?

Definitely, many things. I can’t help but think how Mary was special in the eyes of God. If we humans who are prone to sin and born in sin are special in the eyes of God, how much more of a special place does Mary occupy? She is the most beautiful and most perfect of God’s creation. “You are beautiful O my Love and there is no stain in you.” (Song of Songs 4:7). Mary is more beautiful than the Sun which brings us light and heat; more beautiful than the moon which illumines the night and certainly more beautiful than the stars which adorn the sky. Indeed, the book of Revelation rightly identifies her as, “the Woman clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet and on her head is a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev. 12:6). as we read in today's second reading, God chose her before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. (Cf. Ephesians 1:40) Because she was conceived without sin, “she is full of grace” and  (Lk. 1:28) She is the most blessed among women (Lk 1:42).

How does she handle all these? She does not let these to enter her head. She remains a simple handmaid of the Lord. (Lk 1:38). Like John the Baptist, she simply leads us to Christ, not to herself. She is not afraid to take the back stage. She lets Christ shine. She does not remind other women that she is the Mother of Jesus. She lives a very ordinary life in Nazareth. Nazareth-that unpretentious village where people often wondered if there is any good that can come from there (John 1:46). She does not seek titles for titles. She is satisfied with her role as a house wife and a mother—as a home maker!

Monsignor Fernando Ocariz, the Prelate of Opus Dei emphasized this aspect of spiritual life in his letter to the Faithful of Opus Dei on the Occasion of the anniversary of the Founding of Opus Dei (28^th Oct 2020). While addressing priests of the Prelature he reminded them of the words of St Josemaría, “It is Christ we must talk about, not ourselves.” The Prelate then continued, “you priests must make a special effort not to shine, not to take the lead role, trying to ensure that the lead role and the brightness in your life are those of Christ, and that in any case it is your sisters and brothers who shine.”  This was exactly what Mary did. She wrapped herself in humility.

Secondly, Mary was conceived without original sin to prepare her for her role as a God-bearer! How much God prepares and equips us for the mission. The Patriarch Moses was prepared by God in many ways so as to lead the Israelites out of the Egyptian bondage. “Blessed be the Lord my rock who prepares my hands for battle and my fingers for war.” (Psalm 144:1). We are in the season of Advent, preparing to re-live Christmas and for the second coming of Our Lord. We can surely take some notes from her.

Thirdly, Mary was preserved from original sin at the moment of her conception. This is a weighty statement in our modern world due to the Pro-abortionists and those with the contraceptive mentality! She was preserved from conception! Life begins with conception! Four days after this feast we will also celebrate another Marian Feast, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe is our lady of life! She appeared to St. John Diego, dressed in clothes that used to be worn by pregnant women at the time.

Finally, as the Eucharistic Preface for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception notes, through her Immaculate Conception, Mary is an advocate of grace and model of holiness. She was not only spared from original sin, but as the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes, "by the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long." (CCC n. 493).  We put ourselves in her school as seek to learn from her the way of holiness. 

Regina Sine Labe Originali Concepta, Ora Pro Nobis!

The author is a Parochial Vicar-Mary Mother of God Parish, Kabarnet. (Catholic Diocese of Nakuru)