Reflection for Monday December 9 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 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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Reflection:

We celebrate today the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This was approved in 1476 by Pope Sixtus IV and later extended to the universal Church by Pope Clement XI in 1708. 

Recognizing the belief held for centuries by the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, Pope Pius IX solemnly proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. 

This dogma affirms that “the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, was preserved free from all stain of original sin” (Ineffabilis Deus, 1854). 

What would you do if you received a shocking announcement? Perhaps the first thing that would come to your mind is to pray and ask for guidance and strength from God. 

When Mary received the Annunciation from the angel Gabriel—that she would be pregnant with the baby Jesus—she might have been in shock for a moment. Then, perhaps she prayed to God for guidance and strength. Afterward, she was at peace and, with faith, accepted the will of the Lord for her. 

The pregnancy of the Blessed Virgin Mary conveys to us that nothing is impossible for God—that He can do miracles, just as He did with Mary. It reminds us that our God is a God of possibilities, blessings, and miracles. He can make things happen for us, as long as we have faith and maintain unwavering belief in Him. 

Because of the many challenges you face, you may at times feel weary in your journey through this world. Do not lose heart. Continue to journey with God. Continue to pray for whatever you desire from Him. 

Continue to work hard for the aspirations you hold in your heart. Continue to live a clean life, and continue to have faith and hope—for the Lord will never abandon those who continue to trust in Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas