Mary's Special Role

Today we celebrate the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, Anne. We use the term "Immaculate Conception" but it is often misunderstood as the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary through the overshadowing power of the Holy Spirit, an event commemorated on the Solemnity of the Annunciation.  No, today is Mary's day.  She was chosen to be the immaculate receptacle to carry and bring to term the Son of God.  She fittingly needed to be totally without sin and so she was conceived without the stain of Original Sin, which in which "the rest of us" are born.  She was, as it were, the perfect human being as were the first parents of the human race before the Fall from grace in the Garden of Eden. Thus, she was more inclined to live in harmony with the Will of God and hence could accept the ineffable honor to become the Mother of the Savior, the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God.  She was the ultimate in faith, love, trust and compassion...the qualities for which we all strive so hard all of our lives to attain.  As loving mother so close to her Son, she is also close to us with a clove we can barely comprehend.
A recent film, Mary of Nazareth, depicts Mary as described above along with beautiful photography and music, a credible script and compelling acting.  Pope Francis loved it.  It will be shown for $5.00 at noon at St. Joseph' grammar school gym in Salem, NH on Sunday, December 14th, in case local readers would like to see it.
For all of us, we pray, O Mary, conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Bro. Rene