Daily Gospel Reflection for December 8, 2018 - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Today's Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Molly was her name. She was plastic, had fuzzy hair and eyelids that opened and closed when I put her down or picked her up. I would rock her, cuddle her and carry her everywhere. Molly the dolly made me realize how much I wanted to be a mother; it was my biggest prayer. After my first child, my prayer changed. From that point, until this very day, I have prayed daily for the same thing; Lord, whatever it takes for the sanctification of my children, please do it. That can be a scary prayer, but as I pray it, I remember that He loves my kids more than I do and that brings great peace! As I read today's Gospel I am struck by two verses; "He will be great" & "You have found favor with God". As moms, we worry and wonder about our children; have we loved them enough, taught them enough, instilled enough Catholic faith; so imagine the stunning relief if you heard a messenger of God say about your child, “He will be great.” What would that sigh of relief even sound like if we knew for sure that our children would achieve greatness in the eyes of God? And what would we do with all the minutes we spend thinking about their holiness and happiness? At first, the two verses seemed separate, but then the Holy Spirit helped me see that if desiring and praying for our children's holiness is a top priority, then we’re doing exactly what God asked us to do when He placed that little life in our womb. Mary was created perfectly, and through her intercession and God's grace, He will find favor with us too.

Ponder:

The opposite of immaculate is messy. On the feast day of Mary’s perfect and Immaculate Conception, what are the messy places in your life you can invite her to help you straighten up?

Pray:

God, You created Mary to be the immaculate vessel to carry your Son. I humbly ask you to create a desire within me to grow in holiness and become a worthy vessel of Your Son's love and mercy for the world.