Gn 3:9-15,20
Ps 98:1-4
Eph 1:3-6, 11-12
Lk 1:26-38
The Immaculate Conception of Mary, Mother of Jesus was declared dogma by Pius IX in 1854. The dogma states that "from the first moment of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, Mary was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin."
The dogma has a long and controversial history that stretches back centuries. Reading any historical accounts gives the impression that compared to the 12th and 13th century debates about the Immaculate Conception contemporary debates on global warming are pleasant, civilized, and cordial. Much of the debate centered on determining the moment in which Mary's soul was sanctified. Was it before, during or after her soul entered her body? But rather than focusing on metaphysics we do better to focus on the scriptural text and its meaning for us today.
The readings from Genesis and Luke’s narrative of the Annunciation form a set of parentheses within which we live and breathe even now. The two readings describe: Action and reaction. Doing and undoing. Disobedience and obedience.
The sin of Adam and Eve probably had nothing to do with an actual apple or any other kind of fruit. But, the apple is a good example
suggesting how easy and convenient it is to sin. Think about it.
Few fruits are as easy to eat as an apple. Pluck it off the tree and bite. Unlike a grape it is large enough to share with a friend. There is no significant waste. Bananas must be peeled. Pineapple needs a lot of prep with a machete. Mango skin burns. The less said about durian the better.
An apple is the original fast food, and, to suit modern sensibilities, is a healthy snack as well. But the story of the fall from grace is not about a cursed Macintosh or temptation through Golden Delicious. It is about something much more profound.
The interchange with the serpent about the fruit of the tree in the center of the garden, indeed, the entire narrative is about something complex and uniquely human. That something is free will, a gift and a burden given to and carried by no lower animal. Free will. The ability to say yes or no. The choice to obey or disobey. The opportunity to accept or reject.
Human sin turns on the axis of obedience and disobedience that we just heard in the reading from the ancient Book of Genesis. Eve chose radical disobedience despite being aware of the injunction not to eat the fruit of the tree. It took little persuasion or trickery on the part of the serpent for Eve to freely chose to eat the fruit and share it with Adam who, through his free choice to partake carries the same degree of blame. The ancient author of Genesis understood human nature well. He knew how little persuasion we need to choose sin. It is almost laughable.
The contrast between Eve's disobedience and Mary's obedience could not be more dramatic. Only because she was preserved
from original sin, could Mary's "yes" be perfect. There was fear and confusion on Mary's part. We hear it in her words in the Gospel, “How can this be?” How can this be?
What went through her mind when she heard the angel's message? What thoughts went through her mind as she said these words?
The answers to these speculative questions matter not at all because we hear her yes. We hear the yes that changed: the history of the world, the course of the universe, and everything beyond into eternity.
Mary’s fiat echoes through the universe more loudly than the summed volume of all the bombs ever dropped in the 20th century,
the bloodiest century in history.
Mary's yes mutes the sound of the planes that attacked Pearl Harbor
on December 7, 1941, eighty-two years and one day ago, that day that will live in infamy.
The yes of She who is the Immaculate Conception will continue to echo throughout the universe, even after the universe has ended.
If you listen carefully you can hear that yes even now:
Ecce ancilla domini,
fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum
“Behold,
I am
the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me
according to your word.”
Holy Mary, Mother of God
pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
______________________________________________
Twelve years ago today, 7 December, I was in ICU at Washington Hospital Center having just had a quadruple bypass. Uneventful recovery. A month later I went back for a check-up. As soon as it was over I went over to the Shrine to pray for a while.
These photos are from a visit a few years ago when I celebrated a Mass in Slovenian.
Fr. Jack, SJ, MD
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