8 December 2016 [ immaculate
conception ]
• Genesis 3:9-15 • Psalm • Ephesians
1:3-6, 11-12 • Luke
1:26-38 •
[__01__] Today, December 8th, is
the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
[__02__] What is the value of an original? Have we not
read, for example, that the original paintings are worth for more than the
copy? There is only 1 original; there
may be many copies.
And, the original – or the first - has
value not only because of the beauty of the visible image but also because of
its connection to the painter or sculptor or artist. For this reason, we observe that not only is
the original Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci very valuable, but so also are very
valuable the sketches da Vinci made to paint his portrait.
The original painting, the original
sketch, the original design also connects us to the creator, the author, the
painter.
[__03__] In the Book of Genesis, we read today about
the Fall of Adam and Eve. We read about their ORIGIN, their ORIGINAL SIN.
However, we are also reminded of their
ORIGINAL GRACE, their ORIGINAL connection to God and to each other.
Yes, it is true their sin disrupted
this connection, but it is important to note that GRACE and MERCY existed both
before and after their ORIGINAL SIN.
Knowing their ORIGIN, their ORIGINAL
STATE, we also see how they were loved by God.
Moreover, God’s love for them was not ORIGINALLY
in a garden, or in fruit, or in paradise.
God’s love for them was ORIGINALLY in
them because he made them in his IMAGE.
In other words, ORIGINALLY God made
Adam and Eve – and you and me to be free – as he is free. He made us ORIGINALLY to love, as he
loves. He made us ORIGINALLY to care for
all creation as he cares for it.
This is our ORIGIN
[__04__] Does
the ORIGINAL SIN disrupt the development of Adam and Eve and our human family
?
Yes, however, we are still made in
God’s image.
In this regard, your true value – my
true value – as a human person is not what we can be bought or sold for on the
open market, but rather our value is our connection to God as our creator.
In a similar way, the Mona Lisa takes
its value based on the painter who made it not only on what people will pay in
exchange for it.
[__05__] A few
months before I was to leave for college, my father spoke with me about my
September departure and September move. He told me – to encourage me – “you
know, if you don’t like it there – I was moving to a campus about three hours
from home --- you can always come home.”
It was a kind encouragement and
reminder about my ORIGIN, about my ORIGINAL STATE and place in the home and
family.
However, still I
PONDERED WHAT SORT OF GREETING THIS MIGHT BE.
Recently, I told one of my classmates
about this conversation and wondered what he thought of this father-son
exchange. While it was nice to receive
this statement of unconditional love, it seemed a little out of character for
my father how was usually pushing my brothers, sister and me forward rather
than planning escape routes or offering his home as a disaster recovery site.
My friend’s opinion, “your mother
probably told him to say that.”
[__06__] Mothers. Moms.
Mothers
know our origins. Of course, fathers know our origins too. But, mothers know
this even more directly through their role in nurturing us, giving us birth.
This feast day of the Immaculate
Conception is about motherhood, maternity, about the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Blessed
Mother.
Mary
is conceived without original sin, so that Jesus himself also could be
conceived without original sin.
[__07__] I am
willing to suggest – or risk this theological opinion – that many mothers – all
mothers – whether they are Catholic or not, whether they are churchgoers or
not, that all of them understand something about both ORIGINAL GRACE … and …
ORIGINAL SIN.
That
is, they understand that their children – from a very early age are able to
things – freely and without reservation – to please them. Their children are
able to obey even before they can say YES or do their homework without being
reminded. This is a sign of God’s original grace.
On the other hand, they also
understand that their children are able to disobey, to choose the wrong thing…
and to do so even before they have been exposed to the bad influence of the kid
next door or in school. This is ORIGINAL SIN.
[__08__] All of
us have an ORIGINAL VALUE. And, in a special way, the Blessed Mother –
conceived without original sin and Jesus – also conceived without original sin
display this value to us.
That is, though they were conceived
without original sin and in these original states of grace, they were also
tempted to sin, but did not sin.
Yes,
each day they knew that they had found favor with God. In this regard, they
were not afraid.
Nevertheless, despite this outstanding
virtue and grace – despite their PRICELESS SPIRITUAL MARKET VALUE – they were
rejected, hated by some of their closest friends. And, there was no room at the
inn.
At
such times, did they not both Our Savior and Blessed Mother have to recall that
their value was not based on the second or third class treatment they may have
received from others but on a different favor.
They had found favor with God. They had no reason to be afraid.
In the conversation with my father, by
analogy, I was also being told that I had “favor” within the family even if I
had to work to achieve this “favor” outside the house.
We also have favor with God, it is his
mercy, his mercy which invites us into one of the many mansions in his house.
Yes, at times, we suffer due to
sinfulness. We suffer not only due to our own sins but also due to the sins of
others against us.
We need God’s help and favor so as not
to be afraid, and to recognize that we have an original value in his eyes. An
original value, priceless, for which Jesus himself is willing to die and pay a
ransom.
Be not afraid. [__fin__]
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