Full of Grace

Each time we pray or recite the Hail Mary we use this phrase, "full of grace", but often it is such a rote recitation and not a prayer, that we don't even realize what we are saying.  Today's Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception give us the opportunity to stop and meditate on this great privilege, that is, from the very beginning of her existence in the womb of her mother Anne, Mary enjoyed the fullness of grace, was ever spared from the stain of sin, and in the words of St. Thomas Aquinas,“The soul of the Blessed Virgin was so full of grace that it overflowed into her flesh, fitting her for the conception of God’s Son." It was this fullness of grace that allowed her to utter the "let it be" that opened her womb to conceive the Son of God and thus opened the gates of paradise for us.
If this is not enough, when we were baptized we too received sanctifying grace, we shared the same grace that Mary did.  Along with that grace was the same invitation to "give birth to Jesus" and bring him to our world today.  A fitting thought for the second week of Advent when John the Baptist urges us to take our roles seriously, turn away from our own selfishness and sin and "prepare the way of the Lord, making straight the crooked roads and leveling the hills and valleys" of our lives, our families and our communities.  Interestingly enough, the United States is dedicated to Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception, so this is a very special day not only for all Catholics and us Marists, but for our nation as well.  O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. Amen!
Bro. Rene