20 December

Mary's faith

Luke 1:26-38

This day brings us to Mary, who by her fiat, brought the Child Jesus into the world.  What is the quality of her faith?

First, the Immaculate conception

Even in the moment of her conception, she was free from original and any stain of sin.  Her graces are both sanctifying and actual.  Let us be conscious of God who bestows us with the all graces we received when we were baptized and every time we receive the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist.

Second, Virgin

The dogma teaches
Mary's real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man. In fact, Christ's birth "did not diminish his mother's virginal integrity but sanctified it.  And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the "Ever-virgin"." (CCC 499)  Furthermore, "Mary is a virgin because her virginity is the sign of her faith "unadulterated by any doubt", and of her undivided gift of herself to God's will.  It is her faith that enables her to become the mother of the Savior: "Mary is more blessed because she embraces faith in Christ than because she conceives the flesh of Christ." (506)

Third, Mother

"At once virgin and mother, Mary is the symbol and the most perfect realization of the Church: "the Church indeed. . . by receiving the word of God in faith becomes herself a mother. By preaching and Baptism she brings forth sons, who are conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of God, to a new and immortal life." (507)  We the Church would be deeply grounded on Mary's motherhood and love.