Cum Petro et Sub Petro

With Peter & Under Peter

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Feast of Nativity of Mary

  • “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” – Jeremiah 1:5
  • "I will put enmity between you and the woman,and between your offspring and hers;They will strike at your head,while you strike at their heel”…-Genesis 3:15
  • “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” the angel Gabriel’s salutation to Mary
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    The Immaculate Conception of Mary is probably one of the most difficult Catholic dogmas for non Catholics to accept.The problem is thinking that all of humanity is fallen and required redemption so how could Mary NOT be included? She’s not divine. Catholic teaching does not say otherwise.She is FULLY human.The Immaculate Conception of Mary refers to her conception by her parents.Jesus is true God and true man conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.

    Consider the unborn.God knows each of us before we are even conceived. Each and every human being has dignity because they are created by God.

    Mary was saved from original sin by God at the moment of her conception because God had this planned just as He planned for her to be the Mother of God(Jesus). He planned that she would conceive without conjugal relations by the power of the Holy Spirit.He put enmity between Mary and Satan(Genesis). Enmity with Satan would have to be total enmity ;meaning no sin. Jesus was without sin because He is God. Mary is without sin because God willed that she be redeemed by her own Son before either Mary or Jesus were conceived.

    We were redeemed by Jesus death on the cross before we even committed sin. Two things have to take place here. Mary had to consent. We have to consent.

    All of us,Mary included, are given free will. Eve was also given free will but was tempted to become like God(when she was already made in His image and likeness)and DISOBEYED.Mary was humble and used her free will to say YES to God’s plan and OBEYED.

    Mary responds to Elizabeth, ” “From now on all generations shall call me blessed.” Now i’ve heard some say Mary is no bigger deal than the other blessed women of scripture. Consider: 1. she conceived God in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit and her yes brought about our Redemption 2. she proclaimed that ALL generations would call her blessed because of God’s plan.Elizabeth was astounded when Mary even arrived.”How is it that the mother of our Lord(God)should come to me?”

    Those who object and wonder how Mary could have been born without sin can consider that she was saved just like the rest of us-but God willed to do so at her conception. God would and COULD do so for His own mother. He said He would put enmity and He did.Jesus was born of a virgin. God became man. Jesus rose from the dead. We don’t say,it’s impossible for God.

    We see Mary again in the last book of sacred scripture, Revelation.

    “A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

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