8th December
The Immaculate Conception of Mary
Today we celebrate Mary of Nazareth, one of the central characters in the infancy narratives; the meaning of INCARNATION and Christmas is that God chose to be born fully and as a real, not pretend, human being. Thus, central to the story is Mary, but we must go back into her story and to her conception to find the origins of today’s feast. Mary is that sinless one, yet she is as human as you or I. This is seen in today’s Gospel that concentrates on the angel coming to announce the birth of the Messiah. Gabriel is that messenger chosen to bring good news to the obscure village of Nazareth and meet ‘a virgin betrothed to man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary’ (Lk 1: 27). I think that it is very interesting that Luke chooses to tell us where this virgin is from and who she is engaged to, before we discover her name. Our name identifies WHO we are, and we do well to remember God’s voice to us, “I have called you by name, you are mine!’ (Isa 40:3). Through Gabriel, God tells Mary that she must not be afraid even though he is asking the impossible: she, the virgin, is ‘to conceive and bare a son…Jesus. He will be called Son of the Most High’ (Lk 1: 31 7 33). If we conquer fear, just as Mary did, great joy can be the result; in these difficult times, millions fear the threat of war in the Middle East and Ukraine, and what it might bring us. Recently, good friends of mine were able to get away to the Mountains for a break and their teenage son freely admitted that the joy, space, and freedom that he found outside the inner-city living took away his fears. He was able to be a young person again and not have to worry. Far too many of our children and young people have had pressure put on them in these days; through the intercession of Mary of Nazareth, let us ask God’s blessing on these wonderful young people. Like Mary may they have a future that is fearless and hope-filled; like Mary may they be generous and loving; like Mary may they see the possible in the impossible. May we, as adults, have the courage to listen to what our young people are saying to us; as individual families and the great family of the Church, we need to really listen to their wisdom, especially in these times. Only in this way can we join with the young Mary and pray with her, ‘let what you have said be done to me’ (Lk 1: 38).
For us, as followers of Don Bosco, today marks the day when he formally began his work for troubled young people. His starting point was simple: offer them friendship! This would lead to helping them appreciate home, parish, school, and playground. His integrated system would offer millions of young people across the world a real chance to find their true talents and become caring members of society.
Today: really listen to what your younger family members or friends are saying; what wisdom will you learn from the young today?
We can pray:
Watch the Annunciation scene from Zeffirelli’s TV series, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ and reflect both on Mary’s fear and her ultimate trust in God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAxUk093ZK0
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. (Nahum 1:7)
Don’t forget today is a feast day, please, please please, CELEBRATE!