08/12/2006 - IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
First Reading Genesis 3:9-15; 20 Psalm 97/98
Second Reading Ephesians 1:3-6; 11-12 Gospel Luke 1:26-38
The story of original sin continues with the God's call. God calls man, lets
him hear His voice and lets him feel His very presence beside him. Man is not
pleased that God seeks him out because he is, then, aware of having broken his
communion with Him, and it is easier not to try to regain it. But God knows
that, in so doing, man is headed towards his own undoing: he will not, even,
be in communion with those around him, he will not find peace within himself,
nor will he enjoy anything from the creation that surrounds him. In his state
of sin, man can only destroy and be destroyed. This is what each of us has experienced
and what is, still, seen by all. When a young person seriously disobeys God,
he avoids the places where people live in communion. He will not go where other
might pay attention to him. Night life and dark glasses will become his new
habit.
All of humanity lives this state of gloom; all men attempt to hide behind lies
or isolate themselves. By now, not just the only Adam, but every Adam here on
earth, no longer recognizes the joy and the harmony of mutual communion. How
can God intervene? How can God call men out of their hiding places?
Finally, here is God's intervention. An angel brings a word to a virgin of an
unknown village of the most scorned village. The angel has a powerful name,
the power of one who will win over all human resistance. The village, also,
has a name which raises curiosity: a name as beautiful as a flower, which evokes
the appearance of the budding of something new. The groom that was promised
to the young woman has the name of the preferred son of Jacob, that son that
God sent ahead, for the salvation of his brothers: it means "May God increase!"
God gives a new life to man, who is unable to live because of his sin! The name
of the virgin is too beautiful to be translated by our words, because there
may be many meanings! This is the young woman meant by the word that the angel
brought. This is not a new word. It is the Word that God speaks to the people
of Israel, when He promises them a saviour. Mary accepts the invitation to joy
and to exultation. She understands that the joy, of which she is told, will
require her life; it will require complete and total love, the offering of herself
without limit.
Mary did not hesitate because of a lack of faith, but only out of humility.
Can a young woman, who lived so far away from Jerusalem, be chosen by God for
such a grand task?
When God chooses someone, is He, perhaps, tied to the beliefs and expectations
of men? God has already chosen one of her relatives, who was sterile, to give
her a son, so that His own mercy may shine! God does not seek advice from anyone,
even less from those who believe to be great and important. God chooses whoever
He wishes, and prepares whoever He wishes. God's goodness and greatness sparkles,
even better, the smaller the creature He uses to fulfill His designs. God chose
Mary and has already enriched her with His grace. In her, there is only "yes"
for the will of God. There is no room, in her heart, even, for a no.
Today, we rejoice for the presence of the Mary's yes and for the absence of
any no: this is the pure life of the Immaculate Conception! We rejoice for all
that God did, for the love with which He shows us that He is always ready to
begin, anew, to love mankind. Mary is the fruit and the sign of this love. Mary
is that voice with which God, the Father, wants to reach the person, who has
hidden, filled with fear because of his/her sin. If you look at Mary, you will
see God who loves you! Looking at Mary, you will hate the reassuring Voice who
is looking for you to tell you that you are still loved and that your presence
is welcomed by the Father. He is not offended by your sin. Your sin ruined your
life and, now, He wants to heal it. Mary's presence in the Church is the announcement
of mercy and renewal.
Welcome the name of Mary, welcome and greet her glance: you will have peace;
you will have the strength to change the direction of your life, to welcome
God's voice that speaks, to welcome His Son who walks beside you, and you will
turn towards the Father, who is waiting for you with open arms and a loving
smile.