Not Feast of the Immaculate Conception 24

Lk. 1:26-38

The entire Christian community are in total agreement about Mary being the virgin whose virgin birth fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah (Isa. 7:14).  Beyond that doctrine the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception and Mary’s assumption are disputed by the protestant faiths.  During my time living in the bible belt of America I was always mystified by the strong opposition to Catholic teachings on Mary.  Over the years I have had many discussions not just defending those beliefs but also presenting solid reasons why they should not be “afraid to take Mary” into their hearts and honor her.

Yes, honor her, for I will admit there are Catholic’s who how have confused others by their choice of words which elevate Mary to the status of a co-redemptrix.  There is one redeemer and that was her son Jesus Christ.  There is common ground in all of Christianity about Mary that we can easily discuss with other faiths and help them understand why all Christians should honor Mary as truly someone unique in salvation history.  She was and remains the undisputed Mother of God.  She is and remains the undisputed chosen one by God to nurture the infant Jesus and mother Him as every mother does their children.

What we can discuss with any Christian is the one thing that is especially important in their theology and one we cannot ignore within our own theology about Mary.  She said yes, while at the same being confused about what God was asking her to do (Lk.1:34).  She surrendered her will despite the cost which Simeon said would “pierce her own soul” (Lk.2:35). 

But there is a greater reason every Christian should honor Mary because she received from God the most valuable of all gifts, eternal life.  Jesus in His own words said, “if you believe you will have eternal life” (Jn.3:16).  That part is easy for us and at the same time it is too easy. What about sin, what about repentance, what about …  you name whatever holds you back from believing in the power of belief.  Belief is not an abstract concept because it demands action from us.  Mary is our example of what kind of action we must take.   She said yes, despite her inability to grasp how she could become the mother of God. 

What makes Mary unique is her absolute faith in God. Luke reveals several reasons why Mary is to be honored.  We know the angel appears to her and tells her she is “favored by God (Lk.1:28).  We see that faith expressed by Elizabeth when she calls Mary blessed. “Blessed are you who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord” (Lk.1:45).  Then the child in Elizabeth’s womb whom we know is the Baptizer leaps in her womb as Mary’s voice is heard.  We should have that kind of excitement about the mother of God. Then Mary, herself, gives us a prophecy when she tells us all generations shall call her blessed (Lk.1:48).

But more than any other reason to honor Mary is the inspired words of Elizabeth – “blessed is she who believed.” This more than any other reason should cause anyone who believes in Jesus Christ to stop and consider why they should honor Mary.  The reformers cry was “faith alone.”  The Church split over that cry.  But faith is more than a virtue or a concept. Faith demands action from us.  Action that demands we yield to God’s plan nor ours. 

Mary’s heart was pierced as she witnessed Jesus being rejected, denied as a blasphemer, flogged, and crucifies.  Her yes cost her dearly and we should ask ourselves what we are willing to sacrifice by our yes.  The theology of the Immaculate Conception is based on the premise that God made everything Mary did possible by His grace as she was being conceived in her mother’s womb.  It is pure grace and that is the essence of what we profess and believe.  Vatican II states Marian devotion is not when it declared it is “…not sentimental piety or gullible preoccupation with every rumored apparition.  But rather, imitation of her virtues, particularly her faith (Lumen Gentium 67).sentimental piety or gullible preoccupation with every rumored apparition.  But rather, imitation of her virtues, particularly her faith (Lumen Gentium 67).