Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Gen 3:9-15,20; Ps 97:1-4; Eph 1:3-6,11-12; Luke 1:26-38

Where are you? Why are you hiding? – God asks Adam in the Garden of Eden. I’m afraid of You because I’m naked. I was always naked but not until now have my eyes been opened. Because the woman You gave to me for companionship gave me forbidden fruit . . .

The temptation of forbidden fruit . . .

Contaminated by evil, it is seen even where there is none.

This image makes us realise that sin, apart from destroying our relationship with God and with others, always destroys the interior peace of a person. They begin to see evil where there’s no need to at all. They begin to appease the guilty conscience by pointing out the guilt those around them . . .

To see evil again is not such a great virtue. The world is cleaner than what is seen by a person looking through the dirty glasses of their own heart.

Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your mother and our mother, Mary. Her holiness directs me on the way to You.

Thank You, Immaculate Virgin, that you represent me before God. Help me with your maternal care to fruitfully experience this Advent.