Learned Catholics explore the mystery of Mary as the Immaculate Conception by first looking to Jesus. Do we really fully appreciate who he is? Every time we participate at Mass, we acclaim God as “Holy, Holy, Holy.” The All-Holy One, the source of holiness itself, is conceived and born of Mary. It was this fact of the incarnation that caused the high priest Caiaphas to tear his cloak. He could not accept it. It seemed absurd and in dangerous opposition to everything they held as true. He did not recognize the truth about Jesus but he was right that this claim would utterly change the nature and practices of their Jewish religion. The unseen God would be made visible. The core of their religion would switch from the promise and the law to an emphasis upon a person, namely Jesus Christ. The teaching of Mary’s preservation from original sin is all about honoring the dignity of God in Christ. Original sin was passed on through human generation. It would not be fitting that the All-Holy One should be touched by sin in the womb. “Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Jesus is pure. Holiness is his very nature. He would share this sanctity with us. Selfishness and dissent strip away our disposition for holiness. Many play deaf or say no to Christ’s command to take up our crosses and follow him.
But, yesterday and today, there is still the remnant, the nucleus that keeps the flame of faith burning.
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