Do we, like Mary’s ‘fiat!’, say yes to God’s grace and blessings?

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ “Full of grace. Full of blessing.”

This is just some of the descriptions we hear in the word of God today.

And although all is really focused on the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us take a look at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

This is what he said, “Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.”

Yes, we heard it right! Yes! — blessed us!

That is what was said to disciples and believers, and followers of Jesus Christ in Paul’s time; and just as surely for us now.

And if that is so, as God’s word indeed says it is so, then surely how much more was this said to Mary, the mother of Jesus?

Starting with the angel’s greeting to her at the Annunciation, that she was to give birth to her son Jesus, Mary heard these angelic words spoken to her, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you!”

And the scriptures point out that these were troubling words for Mary — wow-words!

And then she spoke of the impossibility, but then accepted her call, and surrendered totally to the invitation from the angel sent from God.

+ But this is the picture we look at to appreciate this feast.

It is a theological logical conclusion; God’s call for Mary was to bear within her body the precious body of Jesus the Lord.

Well, this would require some purity and holiness and sanctity, and an immaculate sacred space within her very body — her womb.

And so, clearly, she must have been preserved, by the very hand of God, from sin and sinfulness.

That she would have been kept from the sin so clearly introduced into this world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve.

This could only be accomplished by God’s amazing grace, and surrounds Mary with two of the dogmas about her; logically and theologically, they speak of her special and graceful giftedness.

The Immaculate Conception proclaims her freedom and protection from the corruption of sin at her conception and through her birth and life.

The Assumption of Mary proclaims her freedom and protection from the corruption of sin at her death.

Like the precious gold in the chalice and paten that holds the Eucharistic blood and body of Christ, Mary’s body was made and kept precious to hold the very holy body and blood of Christ.

It is simply theologically logical, and the highest form of theological celebratory, grace-filled, and graced reflection about just what God’s love can do.

For after all, Paul tells us quite clearly that we, too, have been filled with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

The question is, do we, and have we, continually, like Mary, said yes to God, and yes to God’s grace and blessings?

Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.