The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings: Genesis 3:9–15, 20, Psalm 97(98):1–4, Ephesians 1:3–6, 11–12, Luke 1:26–38
9 December 2024
“Let what you have said be done to me.” LK 1:38
I was once directing a man on retreat. I gave him this passage with which to pray. When he returned the next day, he recounted to me that he had asked Mary to explain the Annunciation to him. He clearly heard the words echoing within him, “It was my entrance point into your life.” Then my friend began to look at all Mary had brought with her into his life—she did not come unaccompanied. He saw that she had brought the Light in the person of Jesus Christ. Actually, Mary has done the same for each of us, and it all started with Mary’s agreement to do whatever God wanted of her, because life without God was unimaginable.
Still there is more: Mary’s Annunciation is a prototype—it seems to me—of our own annunciations. Our living of God’s way can be an entrance point for the Light as well. When we act as God would have us act, when we live in kindness, light breaks across the heart of someone else and shines the road to peace. When we live in forgiveness, new life breaks across a broken back of shame in another and reveals a future of hope.
Mary’s Annunciation, like God’s eternal creation, goes on through you and me, and Light always comes into the world.
Here is a little prayer to pray: Let your light come upon us and we shall live (Ps 43:3). Amen.
Mother Hilda Scott OSB
Mother Hilda Scott OSB is the abbess of the Benedictine Sisters at Jamberoo Abbey, NSW. Before becoming abbess, she served as prioress, novice mistress, and vocation director, and engaged in spiritual direction, retreat giving, and talks at the Abbey Retreat Cottages. She gained wider recognition through the ABC TV documentary, The Abbey. Before 1990, she was in a different religious order, teaching, working with youth and children, and doing pastoral work in parishes. Just before joining Jamberoo, she lived in a caravan park among the most disadvantaged in society.
With thanks to the Diocese of Wollongong, who have supplied this reflection from their publication, The Light: Advent and Christmas Daily Reflections 2024. Reproduced with permission.
