WHO IS THIS WOMAN?

(Thanks to the site where I got this: http://www.google.com.ph/imglanding?q=immaculate+concepcion&hl=tl&sa=X&sz=21&biw=1024&bih=551&tbs=isch:1&tbnid=8PFmRaX1sDyCfM:&imgrefurl=http://catholicseeking.blogspot.com/2010/11/immaculate-conception-novena-day-2.html&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxC0PBC6WiosWtE64TkJtkc0uQyq3gb4xw7IRSkt6HvSosUKLJ4iKhjqHiekLzhFsy_AFWg4v13z6TtzbSYM__UJmQP03wz3Oe28eFHwzcqTjM_lezaElfwhCVJkBgX9CK1vSDow/s1600/murillo-Immaculate-Conception.jpg&zoom=1&w=302&h=405&ei=yMb-TM-AMM66ce7p4fEF&iact=rc&oei=jsb-TOH5CIfRcJXysYcG&esq=3&page=1&tbnh=120&tbnw=94&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Dec. 8, 2010
St. Jude Catholic School
Manila, Philippines

Who is this woman whom the Church addresses as the Immaculate Conception?

She it was who gave birth to a boy named Jesus
With Joseph her husband, she traveled to Bethlehem for the census announced then
She was found with child even before the wedding was made
Joseph even started to doubt whether he would marry her
But with the angel’s word in a dream, he went ahead
Because what was happening was in fulfillment of the plan of God
Announced to her that she would be the mother of God’s Son
Who will save everyone from our sins

She it was who said “Let it be done unto me according to your word.”

Accepting the will of God, living with Joseph and giving birth to Jesus
Giving life to Jesus in her womb, taking good care of Him
Offering Him as the law prescribed – a pair of turtledoves and young pigeons
Hearing Simeon say “a sword shall pierce your heart”
And keeping these words in her heart
She even asked Jesus why He stayed in the temple after their visit to Jerusalem
Only to hear Him say that He is to be busy with His father’s business
Keeping again these words in her heart.

She who accepted the will of God in her life kept these thoughts in her heart
So she could continue to do His will in her daily life.

The next thing we hear of her in the Scriptures is her seeing her son carrying the Cross on the way to Calvary
And at the foot of the cross where her son hung
She stood faithful, gazing at the Savior of the world dying on the Cross
Hearing Him say “WOMAN, Behold your son” – John and all of us
Hearing Him say to John “Behold your mother” – she is ours to take care as well
What with her husband gone, and now her only son going too.
She was there holding her Son by her arms after he was brought down from the cross.

From her Son’s birth up to His death and Resurrection
She stayed faithful and committed.
Mary indeed our Mother, and we her children too.

Mary, the woman who stood by her son, stood by her Church when the Holy Spirit
Came, poured as tongues of flame on the Apostles in the Upper Room
Fulfilling Her son’s word to take good care of His followers after He had died
Risen from the dead, He had even given her the solicitude of a mother
Of those in the 1st Community and until the Last Community when he comes again.

But why IMMACULATE CONCEPTION?

If all fidelity was in her from the start of her accepting the will of God
Never giving up in the midst of questions to be answered only totally by God Himself
These only point to the greater possibility that She must have been graced so well.

Oh yes, didn’t she hear the angel say to her at the Annunciation
“Hail, FULL OF GRACE, the Lord is with you.”

GRATIA PLENA, the fullness of God’s confidence was with her
To become the worthy Mother of His Only Son.

Hence the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION is the way of the Father
To prepare a womb worthy of divinity – the Son would be born in there
Even if He would be born in a manger later
He was first conceived in a womb unstained by sin
IMMACULATE, CLEAN and PURE
As Her fidelity, as God’s fidelity to His plan to save us from our sins
Allowing the possibility of our communion with divine life
The possibility for eternity to be ours as well with God and the angels.

Yes, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION she was given the title and identity,
Because she was prepared for her mission: giving birth to our Savior
Leading, guiding, watching over him and taking every event in His life into her heart
Never forgetting that she had committed her life to the plan of God.

FIAT VOLUNTAS TUA – Let it be done unto me according to your word
The faithfulness of Mary revealing the faithfulness of God Himself.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION – God’s way of saying to all of us
That we were created in His image and likeness, unstained, and even when stained
We remain called to live to the best that we can a sinless life, a saintly life.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION is Divine Providence at its best
Always thinking of our happiness and salvation

Mary, Mother of God and IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Pray for us before your Son so we may one day see Him and You
And the Father as well with the Holy Spirit. Amen.