THE MANTLE OF GRACE

    Meditation for the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception
(Gen 3:9-15.20; Eph 1:3-6.11-12; Lk 1:26-38)

Let us meditate and celebrate the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At a time like this, when many people care less about sound doctrine, it is important to reflect on this mystery. When people are overly distracted with selfish pursuit, and adhere to spontaneous doctrines that are not consistent with genuine faith, there will be gradual but consistent decline in faith and true worship. Though the dogma of Immaculate Conception has attracted several debates over the years, Catholics continue to celebrate it annually with deep joy that extols the power and glory of God.

The dogma we celebrate asserts that, “From the first moment of her conception, the Blessed Virgin Mary was, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, savior of Mankind, kept free from all stain of original sin.” This age-long dogma was later defined by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854. He explained that this unique privilege of grace was given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in view of the role she was to play as the mother of Jesus.

 

The first reading narrates God’s reaction to the fall of man. While Adam and Eve were busy enjoying their new found adventure in the forbidden fruit, they did not immediately realize the implications their human actions until God appeared. God’s presence exposed them, and made them realize how deep they erred. The unfortunate presence of sin is thus unmasked, and we see at once how much God hates sin. Then, He set up the plan to save mankind from Satan, the craft master of sin. God said, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Thus, a ‘new breed’ of humanity, a ‘new generation’ of man, who shall be ‘regenerated’ in the Son of the Woman, shall always enjoy this victory over Satan. That means a new way of life that cannot be brought down by sin shall spring forth in the Son of the Woman.

 

Hence, St. Paul announced with apostolic joy that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, and chose us in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world, “That we should be holy and blameless before Him.” It is the will of God that we should be sinless, and be adopted as His sons and daughters in Christ. And He has bestowed on us this grace to conquer sin, so that we can live for the praise of His glory through Jesus Christ.

 

We see then that it was necessary for our salvation that the Mother of Jesus would be conceived without sin. From St. Paul’s message, it is obvious that the Immaculate Conception is in line with the will of God that we should be holy and sinless. Since through the Blessed Virgin Mary, God opened for us the ‘new generation’ of humanity in Jesus Christ, destined to escape the corruption of sin, it was necessary that she would be without sin. The angel Gabriel’s salutation to Mary shows that the grace of salvation had found its home in Mary, “For with God nothing is impossible.” Therefore, in the Immaculate Conception, we celebrate the victory of grace and the saving power of God. The joy of our celebration today is that we are covered under the mantle of grace of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Thursday December 8, 2022.

Solemnity of Immaculate Conception

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