Preserved From Original Sin

Our salvation began on this day, commemorated as the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  Mary was conceived without original sin so that she would be the pure vessel to carry the pure Lamb of God who came into this world to take away our sins. The preface for today's Mass beautifully sums up the significance of this great privilege:  "For you preserved the most Blessed Virgin Mary from all stain of original sin, so that in her, endowed with the rich fullness of your grace, you might prepare a worthy Mother for your Son and signify the beginning of the Church, his beautiful Bride without spot or wrinkle.  She the most pure Virgin, was to bring forth a Son, the Innocent Lamb who would wipe away our offenses; you placed her above all others to be for your people an advocate of grace and a model of holiness."  This is just not Mary's feast, but it belongs to the Church, to all of us who are the Church.  Without Mary's acceptance of the invitation to become the Mother of Jesus, the Mother, of God, there would be no salvation, no Church.  Darkness would continue to prevail.  In God's plan, unhindered by the slightest blot of sin, she said YES...a little word that has changed the course of history and given us our Savior and the means to be fully united to our Creator.
Gratitude to God, to Mary, joy, relief, confidence, all are the "order of the day" as we ponder this mighty deed, this mighty plan of God.  May we not take it for granted, but show our appreciation by following our model in accepting God's plan for us.  A slow, meditative praying of the Hail Mary would be an appropriate way butter this slice of daily bread and to honor Mary by praying it frequently throughout the day.
Bro. Rene