A reflection on the daily readings, for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, by Father Perry.
The concept or idea of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is simply (if we could dare use the word “simply” here) that at the moment of her conception in the womb of her mother, she was indeed conceived without original sin.
That is, the power of sin inherited from Adam and Eve that left us broken, damaged, not necessarily controlled, but severely affected by sin and sin’s power.
Even this concept is a huge leap into mystery, also; it asserts that we are “fallen” and prone to sin.
Now I will use an arbitrary definition of sin from one source that says: “In a religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law. Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin. While sins are generally considered actions, any thought, word, or act considered immoral, selfish, shameful, harmful, or alienating might be termed sinful.”
Mary was preserved from that. Mary never sinned. Mary could not sin. That’s the concept.
Not only does it scream mystery, it is also very telling why this mystery is so important.
But first, it must be said that mystery is not something to be solved; but something to enter into and to discover — especially in this case — multiple meanings and powerful significances.
Mystery has the power to transform.
+ There was a time in our recent church history when a paten (which holds the host and becomes the body of Christ) and the chalice (which holds the wine and becomes the blood of Christ) had to be made out of gold or gold plating.
Simply put, it had to be the most precious metal we knew. Why? It was holding the presence of Christ.
After the Second Vatican Council, we saw a change.
A chalice could be made of almost anything nonporous: glass, ceramic, silver, wood that is coated and nonporous — it could not absorb the precious blood of Christ.
Well, here is the connection with Mary and this grand mystery of the Immaculate Conception.
If there was to be a person, and that person was Mary — who was going to carry and bring to birth the precious Holy One of God, the Messiah, the Christ — that person’s womb would have to be sinless, immaculate, precious, clean, wholesome, holy, sanctified, and worthy.
That — one could not accomplish on their own — that, could only be given as a gift to one called to be the carrier of such grace.
For many, this is an esoteric and highly, highly, highly theological position or concept/idea that is meant to communicate deep, deep, deep mystery.
Should not our minds and hearts and desires and actions and words and thoughts and everything about us attempt to be immaculate, too?
Is not this mystery a call to us and for us? Even if unachievable, is not the desire for this at the heart of our very relationship with God?
Tie this solemnity to the Solemnity of the Assumption and we get two solemnities that basically say: Mary was kept free from the corruption of sin (at her conception) and the corruption of the body (at death’s door).
And why? Because she was the vessel that held and carried and birthed the Christ into the world.
+ And in liturgical celebration, we touch and are touched by this mystery!
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
