The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, invite us to contemplate the circumstances around the “yes” of Mary that led to the birth of Jesus.
The reading from Genesis describes the Expulsion from Eden.
* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9).
* [98:1] Marvelous deeds…victory: the conquest of all threats to the peaceful existence of Israel, depicted in the Psalms variously as a cosmic force such as sea, or nations bent on Israel’s destruction, or evildoers seemingly triumphant. His right hand and holy arm: God is pictured as a powerful warrior. (Genesis, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)
Psalm 98 praises the Judge of the World.
* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9).
* [98:1] Marvelous deeds…victory: the conquest of all threats to the peaceful existence of Israel, depicted in the Psalms variously as a cosmic force such as sea, or nations bent on Israel’s destruction, or evildoers seemingly triumphant. His right hand and holy arm: God is pictured as a powerful warrior. (Psalms, PSALM 98, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians proclaims the Father’s Plan of Salvation and Spiritual Blessings in Christ.
* [1:3–14] While a Pauline letter usually continues after the greeting with a prayer of thanksgiving, as in Eph 1:15–23 below, Ephesians first inserts a blessing of God for the blessings Christians have experienced, as in 2 Cor 1:3–4 and 1 Pt 1:3–12. The blessing here, akin to a Jewish berakah, is rich in images almost certainly drawn from hymns and liturgy. Many ideas here are also found in Col 1:3–23. Certain phrases are frequently repeated, such as in Christ (Eph 1:3, 10, 12) or in him (Eph 1:4, 7, 9, 11, 13) or in the beloved (Eph 1:6) and (for) the praise of (his) glory (Eph 1:6, 12, 14). Some terms like chose (Eph 1:4) and destined (Eph 1:5) reflect Old Testament theology (Dt 7:7; 9:4–6; 23:5) or Pauline themes (redemption, Eph 1:7, 14; grace, Eph 1:6, 7) or specific emphases in Colossians (forgiveness, Col 1:14). A triadic structure is discernible in Eph 1:3–14: God the Father (Eph 1:3–6, 8, 11), Christ (Eph 1:3, 5, 7–10, 12), and the Spirit (Eph 1:13–14). The spiritual blessings Christians have received through Christ (Eph 1:3) are gratefully enumerated: the call to holiness (Eph 1:4; cf. Col 1:22); the gift of divine adoption establishing a unique spiritual relationship with God the Father through Christ (Eph 1:5; cf. Gal 4:5); liberation from sin through Christ’s sacrificial death (Eph 1:7); revelation of God’s plan of salvation in Christ (Eph 1:9; cf. Eph 3:3–4; Rom 16:25); the gift of election and faith in Christ bestowed upon Jewish Christians (see note on Eph 1:12, we who first hoped in Christ); and finally, the same gift granted to Gentiles (Eph 1:13, you also). In the Christ-centered faith and existence of the Christian communities the apostle sees the predetermined plan of God to bring all creation under the final rule of Christ (Eph 1:4–5, 9–10) being made known (Eph 1:9) and carried through, to God’s glory (Eph 1:6, 12, 14). (Ephesians, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, the Birth of Jesus is foretold.
* [1:26–38] The announcement to Mary of the birth of Jesus is parallel to the announcement to Zechariah of the birth of John. In both the angel Gabriel appears to the parent who is troubled by the vision (Lk 1:11–12, 26–29) and then told by the angel not to fear (Lk 1:13, 30). After the announcement is made (Lk 1:14–17, 31–33) the parent objects (Lk 1:18, 34) and a sign is given to confirm the announcement (Lk 1:20, 36). The particular focus of the announcement of the birth of Jesus is on his identity as Son of David (Lk 1:32–33) and Son of God (Lk 1:32, 35).
* [1:32] Son of the Most High: cf. Lk 1:76 where John is described as “prophet of the Most High.” “Most High” is a title for God commonly used by Luke (Lk 1:35, 76; 6:35; 8:28; Acts 7:48; 16:17).
* [1:34] Mary’s questioning response is a denial of sexual relations and is used by Luke to lead to the angel’s declaration about the Spirit’s role in the conception of this child (Lk 1:35). According to Luke, the virginal conception of Jesus takes place through the holy Spirit, the power of God, and therefore Jesus has a unique relationship to Yahweh: he is Son of God.
* [1:36–37] The sign given to Mary in confirmation of the angel’s announcement to her is the pregnancy of her aged relative Elizabeth. If a woman past the childbearing age could become pregnant, why, the angel implies, should there be doubt about Mary’s pregnancy, for nothing will be impossible for God. (Luke, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
Scott McClure asks what accounts for this courage and disposition of Mary's to say Yes to God's invitation?
She was unencumbered by the sin that keeps us from God, that prompts us, like Adam, to hide ourselves when we hear God's voice. That we are born with original sin and that we carry our unshakable sinfulness throughout our lives can fill us with hopelessness that we could ever measure up in God's eyes the way Mary did. However, we need not be hopeless. Also, and frankly, we need not be Mary, either. God calls us to be ourselves. God calls us to the same trust in him and love for him that Mary had. God calls us to a deep intimacy with him. It is from this place of intimacy that we find the courage to respond like Mary and like Jesus.
As we await the birth of Jesus, let us lean on Mary as our mother. Let us fly unto her, our sin and sorrow in tow. Let us, man, woman and child, all marvel at her divinely inspired human courage and seek her intercession during this blessed season of Advent. (McClure, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “God borrows Mary's flesh to lead humanity to glory,” by an anonymous early author from the Greek church.
"Revealing to you the pre-eternal counsel, Gabriel came and stood before you, maid, and in greeting said, 'Rejoice, earth that has not been sown; rejoice, burning bush that remains unconsumed; Rejoice, unsearchable depth; Rejoice, bridge that leads to heaven; Rejoice, ladder raised on high that Jacob saw; Rejoice, divine jar of manna; Rejoice, deliverance from the curse; Rejoice, restoration of Adam, the Lord is with you!'
"'You appeared to me in the form of a man,' said the undefiled maid to the chief of the heavenly hosts. 'How then do you speak to me of things that pass human power? For you have said that God shall be with me and shall take up his dwelling in my womb. How shall I become the spacious habitation and the holy place of him that rides upon the cherubim? (Psalm 18:10) Do not amuse me with deceit; for I have not known pleasure, I have not entered into wedlock. How then shall I bear a child?'
"Then the bodiless angel replied, 'When God so wills, the order of nature is overcome, and what is beyond humankind comes to pass. Believe that my sayings are true, all-holy and immaculate lady.' And she cried aloud, 'Let it be to me according to your word, and I shall bear him that is without flesh, who shall borrow flesh from me, that through this mingling he may lead humankind up to his ancient glory, for he alone has power so to do!'"(excerpt from STICHERA OF THE ANNUNCIATION) (Schwager, 2023)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Genesis 3:9-15, 20 comments that this is the marvelous truth we celebrate today. Through Mary, this immaculate woman, God could now enter a world scarred by sin and reconcile all things to himself. Because of her, everyone can be filled with the Spirit and live a life that reflects her purity and innocence. And by her intercession, her yes to God can be our yes.
So today when you hear God calling, Where are you? remember Mary and echo her prayer of perfect surrender: “Here I am, Lord. I come to do your will.”
“Pray for us, O Immaculate Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ!” (Meditation on Genesis 3:9-15, 20, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler fleshes out the anthropomorphic passage from Genesis where man blames woman and the snake. The snake etiology explains its natural characteristics and the image of the woman crushing the head of the snake is associated with Mary. The Greek perfect tense in the greeting identifying Mary as “full of Grace” indicates something that began in the past and continues in the present. Friar Jude exhorts us to model Mary, the New Ark of the Covenant, who is overshadowed by the Presence of God as she responds with a “yes” of vulnerability and surrender.
Brian McLaren identifies awe and wonder as essential to encountering creation. Genesis means “beginnings.” It speaks through deep, multilayered poetry and wild, ancient stories. The poetry and stories of Genesis reveal deep truths that can help us be more fully alive today. They dare to proclaim that the universe is God’s self-expression, God’s speech act. That means that everything everywhere is always essentially holy, spiritual, valuable, meaningful. All matter matters.
Genesis describes the “very goodness” that comes at the end of a long process of creation…. That harmonious whole is so good that the Creator takes a day off, as it were, just to enjoy it. That day of restful enjoyment tells us that the purpose of existence isn’t money or power or fame or security or anything less than this: to participate in the goodness and beauty and aliveness of creation. (McLaren, 2023)
We ponder the plan of God to prepare Mary to accept the invitation to be the Mother of Christ.
References
Ephesians, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 8, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/1?
Genesis, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 8, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/3?9
Luke, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 8, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?26
McClure, S. (2023, December 8). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved December 8, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120823.html
McLaren, B. D. (2023, December 8). The Privilege of Life Itself — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 8, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-privilege-of-life-itself/
Meditation on Genesis 3:9-15, 20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 8, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/12/08/844297/
Psalms, PSALM 98. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 8, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1
Schwager, D. (2023, December 7). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 8, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=dec8a
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