The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary


Old Eve, New Eve

Luke 1:26-38 

Reflecting on the Immaculate Conception one cannot miss comparing the old Eve and Mary, the new Eve, and the implications it brings us as a Church.

First, sin vs. grace

The old Eve started sin and its transmission, hence, the teaching on "original sin."  On the other hand, the new Eve put an end to the cycle of sin in the world and brought grace.  The angel Gabriel greeted her, "Hail, full of grace." This is the manifestation of the Immaculate Conception.  God would not allow even a stain of sin to touch the mother of God.

The Church's mission is to transmit grace, not sin to the world.

Second, disobedience vs. obedience

Adam and Eve's sin is disobedience, a defiance of God's will.  But Mary eradicated it through her absolute obedience, "I am the maidservant of the Lord; let it be done to me as you say."

The Church, to be a living Church, has to have disciples or servants for its members.  It cannot progress if the members continually say, "I am busy" or "I will serve as I please."  We have to entrust our time, talent, and treasure to doing God's work.

Third, man vs. Jesus

The old Adam and Eve produced generations of men and women who have the tendency to sin, proliferating the effects of original sin.  But Mary produced Jesus, the "new Adam", fully human to bring back the original intention of God to create man "in his image and likeness".  Mankind's history centers on Jesus, producing generations of men and women who are "alter Christus" or "Christlike".

The Church is composed of the adopted sons and daughters of God molded according to the heart and mind of Jesus.

This is the challenge of being "church".  We cannot forever justify our imperfections based on our "sapagkat kami'y mga tao lamang (we're only humans)" mentality.  Soon, the old Eve will be eradicated by the New Eve.  We are called to propagate grace, not sin; to live out obedience, not disobedience, and the bring forth Christ and not simply physical human beings into the world.

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