Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception of
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
"Behold, I
am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your word."
I have read
obituaries about people who had written it for themselves before they died.
Some have experienced a terrible disease that has taken their lives; some at
young ages. In these short stories of their lives we hear words of gratitude
for a full and meaningful life, satisfying work, long, loving relationships and
friendships. I'm sure they suffered great pain during their lifetime, and they,
like us, had experienced some very difficult and challenging days. In the end,
however, bitterness had no place in their final act of self-expression. They
declared that relationships were ultimately the most important thing and they
encouraged those of us reading their last message to "go out and create
moments that will take your breath away."
This is an example
of how a life can have coherence, how the pure essence of a person's being can
unfold and blossom over time. This is how what is present from the beginning
can manifest itself and bear fruit. I imagine these people are those who lived
wholeheartedly, who, in spite of tremendous challenges, said yes to their own
unique and unrepeatable lives.
The Immaculate
Conception is an attempt to say the same thing about Mary. Her life was held
together and carried forward by her complete assent to the task she was given.
By God's grace she was freed and empowered, from the first moment of her
existence, to be utterly open to love. Mary said, "Behold, I am the
handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your word."
In today's
Responsorial Psalm we acclaim, "Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has
done marvelous deeds" (Ps 98:1). Like Mary, who trusted and believed in
the ultimate love of God through the angels message, may we live a grace-filled
life by believing in God's promises and by giving Him our unqualified "yes"
to His will and plan for our lives!
"Go out and
create moments that will take your breath away."