Dec. 8, 2012: Immaculate Conception

What is a flaw? It can be a defect, a blemish, a break, a crack, a fault or an error; something that detracts from the correctness or perfection. We encounter flaws in our daily life, beginning with ourselves. Who in here sitting in this church would say that they do not have a single flaw? There is a little saying that helps us put our flaws into perspective, "The Lord works through deeply flawed people, since He made so few of the other kind." Jesus even points out what not to do with flaws we see in others, "Why do you look at the speck of dust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

What if God created a flawless human person who was without blemish or fault. What would that person look like? What qualities would we see in them? Would it be flawless physical beauty, more beautiful than a model on a magazine cover? Such a person would be so visibly noticeable. But the person God created so perfectly, Blessed Virgin Mary, does not fit into that category. We say she was immaculately conceived--conceived without any imperfection, especially sin. From a magazine cover, we cannot see imperfection called sin. How can you easily photograph pride, anger, lust, gluttony, envy, jealousy, greed, and selfishness? It's not easy. Nor is it easy to capture on photograph humility, gentleness, kindness, patience, forbearance, faithfulness, and self-control. These are difficult to capture on camera because these spring from the heart, the innermost recess of our soul. What if this heart is created without a single flaw? The result would be an Immaculate Heart. St. Augustine said that our heart was created for only one thing--to rest in God or to unite with God. Otherwise, our heart is restless, he says. The Immaculate Heart of Mary unites perfectly in God; therefore, Blessed Mother does the will of God perfectly. This may not sound significant, but how many times during the day do we consciously think about God and doing His will? How often is our heart distracted and is not aware of God's love for us?

Would you not want to have this very heart that Blessed Mother had? Mother Teresa teaches us to pray two simple prayers. First, "Blessed Mother, lend me your heart." In other words, Blessed Mother, help me to love with the perfect love of your Immaculate Heart. To borrow her heart means to satiate the thirst of Jesus for love. Blessed Mother is the one who, despite her own trial of darkness, praises and thanks God in all things, smiles at him, and consoles him with her love.The second prayer is, "Blessed Mother, keep me in your most pure heart." In other words, Immaculate Heart of Mary, keep me in your most pure heart, so that I may please Jesus through you, in you, and with you. To understand this and live it requires a loving dependence and profound union with Blessed Mother. When I entrust myself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary with child-like faith, Blessed Mother will in turn give her spirit, inspire and guide, and take responsibility in making me a saint.