The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, challenge us to consider the preparation revealed by the Spirit for our response of surrender to the Will of God.
The reading from the Book of Genesis describes the Expulsion from Eden.
* [3:14] Each of the three punishments (the snake, the woman, the man) has a double aspect, one affecting the individual and the other affecting a basic relationship. The snake previously stood upright, enjoyed a reputation for being shrewder than other creatures, and could converse with human beings as in vv. 1–5. It must now move on its belly, is more cursed than any creature, and inspires revulsion in human beings (v. 15).
* [3:15] They will strike…at their heel: the antecedent for “they” and “their” is the collective noun “offspring,” i.e., all the descendants of the woman. Christian tradition has seen in this passage, however, more than unending hostility between snakes and human beings. The snake was identified with the devil (Wis 2:24; Jn 8:44; Rev 12:9; 20:2), whose eventual defeat seemed implied in the verse. Because “the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn 3:8), the passage was understood as the first promise of a redeemer for fallen humankind, the protoevangelium. Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. A.D. 130–200), in his Against Heresies 5.21.1, followed by several other Fathers of the Church, interpreted the verse as referring to Christ, and cited Gal 3:19 and 4:4 to support the reference. Another interpretive translation is ipsa, “she,” and is reflected in Jerome’s Vulgate. “She” was thought to refer to Mary, the mother of the messiah. In Christian art Mary is sometimes depicted with her foot on the head of the serpent. (Genesis, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, 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). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians presents 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 | USCCB, 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 | USCCB, n.d.)
Eileen Burke-Sullivan comments that St. Ignatius Loyola asserts that the first principle and the very foundation of Christian faith is a “felt knowledge” – not just an intellectual idea, but a deep affective, experiential knowing – that each one of us has been created for the glory of God.
Mary is the perfect expression of the simplicity and complexity of our human response. Unlike Eve, she chooses to cooperate with God’s “plan” but not without question: how can this be? Mary’s choice is one of trust in the Lord of her faith tradition. But it was certainly not a “blind” trust, rather her question demonstrated that Mary clearly used her human reason as well as her faith to know and follow her vocation. God became human and through Baptism restores to humans the full use of our gifts to participate in the incredible “plan” of creation. This is more than enough to ponder as we celebrate Mary’s conception and her “yes” to that unbelievable request of God that she become the human mother of the Logos. (Burke-Sullivan, n.d.)
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, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:26-38 focuses our attention on the unique role that God planned for Our Lady. Because she was conceived free from the stain of original sin, Mary was shielded from all the effects of sin. Thus, she became the only person worthy of bearing the Son of God. When we think about the life of Mary, or any saint, we tend to focus on the heroic way that they said yes to God and to his plan for them. But today’s feast tells us that long before any saint chooses to work with the Lord, he chooses to work with them! Through a combination of factors—like their family circumstances, their time in history, and the unique makeup of their character—God perfectly equips them with everything they need to respond to him.
Has God called you to parenthood? Look back over your life and see how he has prepared you. Has he called you to a specific work of service in the Church? How did he lay the groundwork for you to receive that call? What about your job, your friendships, or your role in your community? Your heavenly Father has seen it all, he has equipped you, and he promises to give you everything you need to fulfill that calling!
“Lord, I say yes to the plan that you have prepared for me!” (Meditation on Luke 1:26-38, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler connects the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden to the presentation of Mary in art as crushing the head of the serpent. The proclamation that Mary is “full of Grace” is in the Greek perfect tense, indicating that it has always been true from the past into the future. Friar Jude contrasts the response of Zechariah and Mary to the message from the angel Gabriel. He identifies Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant as she accepts the Incarnate Word of God.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces pastor and founder of the Center for Wild Spirituality Victoria Loorz who considers the origins of our traditional images of God. Loorz reflects on an image of God inspired by John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word.”
Jesus as the Christ embodies that in-between presence between the Creator and the created. Between the transcendent and the incarnated. But not just Jesus. All of us. Even the trees and the microbes and the stars are made and imbued with and held together by Conversation. Christ is dynamic, abundant relationship, a cacophony of interrelated connections navigated by conversation. Christ is the opposite, in fact, of a static word, a single utterance controlled by powerful men….
What would a wild Christ—a Conversation who is the intermediary of love between all things, whose divine presence connects wild deer with my own wild soul—evoke in our world? Is it possible to imagine the worldview of kingdoms and empires transforming into a worldview of kin-dom and compassion? Imagine how different life would be right now if Christianity could become a place for sacred conversation: a place to explore possibilities and express doubts and disagree and encourage voices on the edges. Imagine the church honoring sacred conversation by lifting up the voices shut down by empire. Imagine the reconciling role the church could offer in bringing together opposite forces to remember that we are all interconnected. (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder the preparation we have been invited to accept to be open to the Presence of the “Word made Flesh” in our journey.
References
Burke-Sullivan, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/120924.html
Ephesians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/1?3
Genesis, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/3?9
Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?26
Meditation on Luke 1:26-38. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/09/1148211/
Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). In the Beginning. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/in-the-beginning/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). For with God Nothing Will Be Impossible. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec9a
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