Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Today’s readings:
Genesis 3:9-20
Ephesians 1:3-12
Luke 1:26-38
Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was conceived without the stain of original sin. Only three other people aside from Mary came into life without sin—Adam, Eve and Jesus. Adam and Eve later sinned, but Mary and Jesus remained without sin throughout their life.
Both are holy. The angel Gabriel greeted Mary, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Lk 1:28). The conception of Jesus happened through the Holy Spirit. “Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” (Lk 1:35b). But we too are called to and destined for holiness. In Christ God “chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him” (Eph 1:4).
After Adam and Eve sinned, God said to the snake: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; they will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.” (Gn 3:15). Aside from the snake, only Adam and Eve were there. But this was a prophecy about the coming Savior. In the fullness of time, Jesus is the new Adam, and Mary is the new Eve. Adam and Eve lost paradise; Jesus and Mary redeems humankind and restores paradise.
Now note that the Lord God put enmity between the snake and the woman first of all, then between their respective offspring. Mary is a primary protagonist in the spiritual war that would ensue. Both Mary and Jesus crushed the head of the serpent. This is why Mary is Co-Redemptrix.
Now Mary’s offspring are not only Jesus but all of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Thus the enmity is between the demonic forces and the people of God. We are the people of God. That puts us in direct conflict with the forces of evil, as we engage in spiritual war.
As people destined for holiness and engaged in spiritual war, we must be holy warriors. And in order to participate in the victory already won, we must join the Army of Mary.
* * *
As holy warriors, we consecrate ourselves to Mary. The icon of Mary relevant to our cause and calling is Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as Our Lady of Victory. Following is our prayer of consecration.
CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
O Blessed Virgin Mary, you with your Son Jesus crushed the head of the serpent. In the spiritual war that continues to rage in the heavens and on earth, you have already won the victory.
Your holy warriors stand before you, dear Mother Mary. We consecrate ourselves to the cause of your Son Jesus, the Redeemer of the world, and to you as his Co-Redemptrix. We dedicate ourselves to the task of winning souls for the Kingdom. We commit to do battle against all evil forces.
Cover us with your mantle of protection as you send us forth under your banner.
Amen.
Please read the booklet “Army of Mary” in order to understand all this more.
* * *
Comments