Saturday, December 8, 2018

Genesis 3:9-15, 20, Psalm 98:1-4, Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12, Luke 1:26-38

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women. Lk 1:28


Genesis 3:9-15, 20, Psalm 98:1-4, 
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12, Luke 1:26-38


Genesis 3:9-15, 20

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Today the Universal Church celebrates the glorious moment when Your Mama and ours was immaculately conceived in her mother's womb. She had to be sinless in order to someday conceive in her turn, the Son of the Most High. God who is Master of time and space used the merits of Your redemption to make this possible. No creature matches Mary in perfection and in the fullness of grace and every virtue. She is the spouse of the Holy Spirit who came over her as the power of God overshadowed her.

How different is the New Eve from Eve who is the mother of all humankind. Our first parents disobeyed God and we inherited the taint of that sin.

When You pose the same question to me that God posed to Adam, "Where are you?" What is my response Beloved? Do I run to You and say, "Here I am." Or like Adam do I hide because I am ashamed of my many transgressions? When confronted with my sins do I humbly acknowledge them or do I put the blame for my own weaknesses on everyone else but myself?

When You ask me, "Why did you do such a thing?" What is my response? Do I have one or am I silent because I am aware of my guilt?

Adam and Eve were exiled from Paradise and had to live by the sweat of their brow. They were cast out of the presence of God for they had destroyed the relationship they once enjoyed with God forever.

Thank You Father, for Your plan of salvation that gave us a second chance through the New Eve, Mary. Thank You for making it possible to bridge the unbridgeable chasm through You, the Son of God that she was privileged to conceive and bear. The Savior of the world. Thank You Holy Spirit for the power of Your Presence over Mary, Your most chaste Spouse that made it possible for our Redeemer and Messiah to be conceived in her.

Psalm 98:1-4

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Today as the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, all her children rejoice and sing God's praises for the wonderful things that were possible because Mary said yes to the plan of God.

God remembers His Covenant forever beginning with the one He swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yes, we sinned and strayed for God, but He never lost sight of His wayward creatures. God desired to save us from our own wickedness, and stupidity because He was aware that we are as foolish as sheep and could do nothing to save ourselves.

Through Mary, the Light of the Nations was conceived and came into the world in order to save every human being. God remembers the promises He has made and is merciful and faithful always. 

We thank You for the new song that is in the hearts of all who believe. Grant us the grace to never forget how God has saved His people.

Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Thank You for the timely reminder today that You have blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heaven. Thank You that I have been chosen before the foundations of the world were laid to belong to the Father without stain or blemish. Thank You for making me the adopted daughter of God by grafting me to Your Body in the Sacrament of Baptism. Truly Beloved, may every breath I breathe praise God the Father, You and the Holy Spirit for all that He willed for us and accomplished through You.

I was created in order to praise God for the wonders that He has done for me and for all who have placed their faith and hope in You, for we have believed in the One who sent You.


Luke 1:26-38

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

On the day of the Annunciation did Mary wake up with a sense of anticipation that something tremendous was about to happen or was it just a day like any other. What was she doing when the Angel of the Lord appeared to her? Was she at prayer or busy with household chores though her soul was preoccupied with thoughts of God? 

She was betrothed to Joseph whom she loved dearly. They had plans to be married. She was a young girl with all a young girls hopes, dreams, and plans. Did she ever find herself to be different from other young girls of her age? Did she wonder about that difference or did she just praise God the silence of her soul for this amazing love she had for God and His sweet, loving, and constant presence within her?

And when the Angel appeared to her and she was struck with wonder and awe and the Angel reassured her with the words, 

"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."

was she comforted or did she wonder what this strange greeting meant and hence her response,

"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"


And then the angel said the most amazing words to this young virgin 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 teaches us that no matter what the Lord asks of us our response must always be,

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."

If this is true of us then God's presence will descend upon us and remain with us always.

Thank You Mother dearest for your yes to the will of God. Intercede and pray for me to respond just as You did to all that God asks of me no matter how difficult or challenging it may be. Amen.

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