Immaculate Conception within God's saving plan: December 8th, 2018: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Listen to the homily here.

Notes:

God’s saving plan begins to become quicker:

It began in Genesis 3: 

·     “I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel."

And today, we praise God for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

·     “Sing to the Lord a new song!”

Now what are we talking about?

·     First, this is the immaculate conception of Mary, not Jesus

·     Second, God intercedes with purity in this new child, aka, she was not born with original sin

·     Third, I heard of this analogy

o  Everyone born receives original sin from their parents

o  Imagine that each human drinks poison, but God offers the antidote (Baptism)

o  Well, think about God showing one person that she shouldn’t drink this poison to begin with

Then, Gabriel approached to Mary with the possible Good News, not forcing Mary, but asking the question

·     As she was curious, Gabriel said, "Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.”

·     This “favor” was her salvation, by not receiving original sin

And as this salvation plan began from Genesis 3, praise God, we hear Mary—without sin—responds to answer God’s question and said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.”

Amen!