Tuesday, December 08, 2020 - Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1, 26-38 - Hail Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women.

Dear Christians, we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on this day of December 8. There is much to be said and emphasised from the Word of God, but the emphasis is on the following:

Firstly, Mary was engaged to Joseph. Her astonishment is therefore quite understandable: How is this going to happen, since I don't know a man? Indeed, there is a law in the Scriptures regarding betrothal. When you are engaged to someone you can no longer be engaged to another. This is for the exercise of fidelity and mutual respect. Moreover, the engaged are not yet allowed to live together. So this should awaken the consciousness of all the engaged so that they do not prematurely lose their dignity, so that love is not tarnished in advance.

Secondly, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God". Mary's name is expressly mentioned here, meaning that God's call is personal, nominative. This reminds us of how Jesus proceeded with the twelve apostles. So, today, these words apply to each of us. We can say something like this: "Parents, have no fear; young men, have no fear; young women, have no fear, for you have found grace with God, where you are and as you are". Let us accept this call and trust God completely to take care of the rest. The family of Mary and Joseph already had their vision and plan, but Mary put obedience to God first, because she believes that God can make everything right.

Brothers, God prepared Mary to be a worthy Mother for his Son. It is therefore not surprising that she was conceived without sin. Therefore, let us implore her prayer that we who receive her Son in the Holy Eucharist may keep our virtue and purity.