Advent Reflections
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2022 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
By Tom Canuel ’24
Friends, today we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Every year on the Immaculate Conception, we celebrate Mary’s conception, born with special graces that prevented her from receiving the stain of Original Sin. I always find it so amazing how the Immaculate Conception falls during the season of Advent every year. I always see the Immaculate Conception as a reminder of Mary’s place not only in the Christmas story but in our lives too. And certainly, Mary can serve in a major way to prepare our hearts and souls for Christ this Christmas.
Today’s Gospel reading gives us just that, recounting the story of the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel visits Mary and asks her to bear God’s Son. Mary gives her full acceptance of God’s will, her fiat, or yes to God. “May it be done unto me according to your word.” The Gospel is put side-by-side with the first reading from the Book of Genesis: the Fall. While Adam and Eve turn their backs to God in the garden, the New Eve, Mary, humbly accepts and follows God’s plan.
As Christians, we are called to follow Mary’s example here-- to place our trust completely in God and say ‘yes’ to God each and every day. On this feast day, I invite us reflect on how we can say ‘yes’ in our own way to God just as Mary did. How can we more fully trust God, and how can we put God before all else in our lives? And do we take the time to listen to God every day, and if not, what are some ways we can listen ‘with the ear of our hearts?’ (RSB, Prol.) I leave us off with St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s fourth homily on Mary:
Say the word and receive the Word: give yours and conceive God’s. Breathe one fleeting word and embrace the everlasting Word. . . . Blessed Virgin, open your heart to faith, your lips to consent and your womb to your Creator. Behold, the long-desired of all nations is standing at the door and knocking.