GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 8TH DECEMBER 2016
SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
1st READING: Genesis 3:9-15,20
PSALM: Psalm 98:1-4
2ND READING: Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12
GOSPEL: Luke 1: 26-38
THEME: FULL OF GRACE
Sin disconnects us from the continuous flow of God’s power and renders us powerless. The grace of God on the other hand reconnects us to the source of Divine power and in the state of grace one becomes a victor over sin.
In the Gospel reading of today, the angel Gabriel addresses Mary with the title, “Full of grace”. The title “full of grace” (kecharitomene in Greek) as used in our Gospel text carries with it the meaning and sentiments of one who had been singled out and “graced” by God. It was simply the choice of God to make her as such.
The angel goes ahead and tells Mary, “…the power of the Most High will overshadow you…” (cf. Lk 1:35). With reference to the expression “overshadow”, it is interesting to note that the same word is used in the Greek version of Ex 40:35 to describe how the cloud (symbolising the Lord’s presence) “overshadowed” the tabernacle and the glory of the Lord filled it. Therefore, like the tabernacle in the Old Testament, Mary was chosen and specially prepared to “house” and give birth to the mediator of the New Testament – Jesus Christ.
Victory over sin is made possible by virtue of the death of Jesus Christ. Hence, the singular act of the preservation of Mary from sin was made possible purely on account of the merits of her Son Jesus Christ, which God foresaw long before she was born.
The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a celebration of grace and a call to each one of us to tap into the grace of God. In the person of Mary, we see that where grace is received without any hindrance, sin can be conquered.
Are you struggling with sin in your life? By your own strength you cannot triumph (cf. Rom. 7:14ff) but by allowing yourself to be filled with grace you will triumph.
Advent is a season when we are called upon to rely on the grace that Jesus offers us in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. It is also a call to grow in our personal prayer life.
When a car runs out of gas (fuel), it cannot move. In the same way, when a Christian runs out of grace, he/she cannot move “mountains”. Grace makes what is humanly impossible possible.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, may your grace which filled your mother and made her completely holy come upon me that I too may live a life of holiness. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).