Come

 

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Gospel Lk 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the house of David,

and the virgin's name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,

"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

"Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his Kingdom there will be no end."

But Mary said to the angel,

"How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?"

And the angel said to her in reply,

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born

will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,

has also conceived a son in her old age,

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God."

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word."

Then the angel departed from her.

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"I am not so far away that
you cannot hear me if your
love grows ardent enough.

I am obligated to observe this solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God because of the great number of favors She has granted me, most of which I never deserved.

Finding your way to God is more like beheld by the hand and led to God and His consolations, and those who languish in aridity can aske Her for a drop of water with assurance that She will hear and answer Her.

Never forget how much we owe Her, and Her Son. It is altogether fitting to offer our penances and sacrifices to Her to honor Her and Her Son.

All consolation belongs to God who does not spare us from His affections, and who does not spare us sharing in His passion, since it is all one great life.

Spend the day in gratitude to Mary, your Mother, and if you desire the sweetness and gentle love of a Mother in your life as it is, never lose hope of tasting that sweetness one more time from the hands of your celestial Mother.