Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today's Readings:
Gn 3:9-15, 20
Ps 98:1-4
Eph 1: 3-6, 11-12
Lk 1:26-38

In the first creation, we inherited sin from our first parents Adam and Eve; in the re-creation, we inherited the forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation. This gift is given to us by God, by Christ death and resurrection thus recreating us through Baptism in Christ. Christ is the 'new Adam' and Mary is 'the new Eve' in this re-creation; now it is up to us as to whose example we will follow. We can choose the example to sin or the example of grace. Today let us put our faith in Christ and with the prayers of his holy mother follow the example of grace and thus leave the example of sin behind. Have a great day and God Bless.


Saint of the Day - Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Our first parents offended God by sinning seriously. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, every baby is born into the world with original sin. We are all children of our first parents. Therefore, we all inherit their sin. This sin in us is called original sin. But the Blessed Virgin Mary was given a marvelous privilege. She was conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne, without this original sin. Our Lady was to be the mother of Jesus, God's only Son. The evil one, the devil, should have no power over Mary. There was never the slightest sin in our all-beautiful mother. That is why one of the Church's favorite hymns to Mary is: "You are all-beautiful, O Mary, and there is no sin in you." This great privilege of Our Lady is called her Immaculate Conception. In 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed to the whole world that there was no doubt at all that Mary was conceived without sin. Four years later, she appeared to Bernadette at Lourdes. When St. Bernadette asked the lovely lady who she was, Mary joined her hands and raised her eyes toward heaven. She said, "I am the Immaculate Conception."
Reflection: "You let her share beforehand in the salvation Christ would bring by his death, and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception." -Pope Sixtus IV

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/december/1208.asp