Daily Gospel Reflection for December 8, 2023: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

My husband and I have named all of our children after well-known saints. We chose those who have special meaning to us. There was only one problem: All of my children were boys and I greatly desired to name one after my heavenly momma, who had seen me through thick and thin time and time again. After five tries and almost ten years of marriage, God finally granted that desire of my heart and gifted us with our girlie. We chose her middle name in honor of the Immaculate One.

In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.”

Today’s Gospel portrays to us the reason why God created Mary to be free from sin, in order to bear the Son of God in her womb. “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you” the Angel Gabriel greeted her. He went on to explain to her how the Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would conceive. And she responded with those age-old words that we seek to emulate whenever God calls us:

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Mary was full of grace and full of God. The Father chose her, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the Son was literally within her. We look to her as a model of holiness and ask for her intercession as we know how close her heart is to God’s. Immaculate Mary, pray for us!

Ponder:

When I am called by God, do I respond "May it be done to me according to your word?"

Pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You for the example of the sinless Virgin. May we imitate her holiness and lean on her prayers.

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Mary was full of grace and full of God. The Father chose her, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the Son was literally within her. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Tami Urcia