The Church turns to a major Advent figure, Mary, the Immaculate Conception, during the second week of Advent as model for our Advent observances and our Christian life. We are pleased to offer this reflection by Br. John Kachinsky, one of our guidance counselors and our vocation coordinator as today's slice of daily bread.
Mary’s life was pregnant with possibilities. The Church reminds us of this Marian truth that is easy to overlook but nevertheless, stupendous. In some mysterious way, the incarnation resulted not only from the work of God the Father, but also from the will of Mother Mary.
Numerous church fathers acknowledged Mary’s active cooperation in the history of salvation. According to Thomas Aquinas (Summa, III: 30) human redemption depended upon the consent of the pregnant teenager, Mary. She did not ask to bear the Son of God, nor was she compelled to do so. She might have said no. But she did not shrink from God’s call in her life and instead enriched all humanity by her willing participation, not knowing where that would take her. Mary had to wrestle with the meaning of God’s will in her life like any person of authentic faith. She is an extraordinary model of discipleship for all of us.
-Br. John Kachinsky, FMS
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