In The Beginning
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
My dear encountered couples:
Mary didn’t know. She had no idea how special she was. “Rejoice, 0 highly favored daughter!” was the greeting she heard from the angel Gabriel. “The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”
Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary was conceived free of all sin, free of the stain, that is the effects, of original sin. She was conceived in total innocence, free from all spiritual and moral defects. God from the first moment of her existence began preparing Mary to be the living tabernacle for his Son. Mary had had no idea. Nor did anyone else.
Neither Mary, nor her parents or grandparents, none of the relatives or friends, nobody had an inkling just how special Mary was. Oh, sure, she was raved over and bragged about when she was born. Whether she was a beautiful child or plain, her parents beamed with pride when they showed her off. But they didn’t know the half of it. How overwhelmed they would have been if they had known! Their little girl was predestined to be the Mother of God.
We never know what God has in mind for any baby that is born, do we? Parents have great hopes, grandparents brag about what their grandchildren will grow up to be, and friends say things pleasant to the ears. But none of them have any sure insight into the future of that child. Nobody really knows what God has done and is now doing in that child.
God’s plans for any child remains his own personal secret for many years, plans he has had from all eternity. So that those plans have a possibility of happening, God puts into each of us certain qualities and abilities that we will be needing.
Nobody is given an assignment in life that is impossible to carry out. As Mary was brought into this world with all she needed to be the Mother of God, so are we conceived with what we need. What are your abilities and talents? It is very helpful to know.
St. Joseph was created with talents to be a carpenter, with qualities to be a good family provider, a man of strong and patient disposition. Mary was made with abilities for special motherhood, fortified with great trust in God, and a leaning towards being thoughtful and kind. Remember how thoughtful and kind she was when during one of the most bewildering times in her life she went and visited her cousin Elizabeth and saw after her needs until John the Baptist was born? There are many callings that require special abilities. These God implants in us at our conception.
There are special talents God gives for raising children, for farming, for nursing, for teaching, for social work. Maybe what he has given you is mechanical ability, or intellectual, or artistic talents; maybe he wants you to create things with your hands. When we are conceived God places within us whatever it is we need to carry out our parts in his plans.
“Hail Mary, the Lord is with you.” He was with her from the beginning. He has been with you too. What is it God has always planned for you? Pray over it, and ask Mary to help you do it.
