To the Mother of my Lord...

Filipino Rendition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, displayed at the Left Side Chapel of the Ateneo de Naga University's Church of Christ the King

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A very important feast in the Catholic Church. A very fitting date to celebrate as we are in the Advent season. This reminds us of the important role that the Virgin Mary has in the work of redemption. In the theological parlance we refer to her as co-redemptrix. Not that we claim that Mary is a redeemer, because there is only one single mediator between God and Man, and that is Jesus Christ. When we refer to Mary as co-redemptrix we are referring to her as the Woman prophesied in Genesis 3:15. By her voluntary will of submission to God in order to be the Mother of the Lord, she cooperated in the work of redemption. Her entire life of submission and discipleship to Christ was her par excellence mark of discipleship. If the human race fell inot sin because of the pride of Adam and Eve, here in the New Testament, Christ who is the New Adam and Mary as the new Eve has worked out the redemption by their submission to one another, mirroring the infinite love that permeates the Holy Trinity [which is beyond our comprehension, but thanks to God for giving us the faith, even though in a glimpse]. Indeed, Christ being the Lord of the Universe, came into this world as a Child and followed Mary and Joseph with submission. On the other hand Mary by her nurturing love and devotion to her son, became a cooperator. Thus, the Holy Family refelects in someway the Holy Trinity. Today as we celebrate the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us thank the Lord for this faith and that we have this Woman, born without the stain of original sin, the first recipient of Christ's saving grace [for God is not governed by time as we mortals are], she whom God wishes to honor we also should honor. For indeed, as the commandment of the Lord said, "Honor thy father and thy mother...." here we honor Mary, our Mother, for Christ bid us..."behold thy mother". Should not we who stand at the foot of the cross behold the mother whom the crucified Lord wishes to honor? Oh Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee. Jesus my Lord, have mercy on us, save us by your infinite grace for we believe and we obey. Forgive us our failure and show us your mercy. Amen.