Scripture Study for
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Genesis 3:9–15, 20 / Psalm 98:1a / Ephesians 1:3–6, 11–12 / Luke 1:26–38
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Understanding the Word
By Br. John R. Barker, OFM
The story of Adam and Eve and the serpent suggests that the inevitable result of human sin is alienation from God and from one another. Instead of trust and confidence, the divine presence now evokes in the humans fear and a desire to hide from the divine gaze. Personal responsibility gives way to finger pointing and excuse making. Ultimately, though, God recognizes the role of the serpent, who has acted malevolently, taking advantage of human weakness and naïveté to sow discord and distrust between God and humans. God’s response is to sow discord between the humans and the serpent. Whereas they had earlier trusted the serpent, now humans will look upon the instigator of their ruin with fear and hatred.
The reading from Ephesians focuses on divine gifts of election and blessing. Divine election means that God has “chosen” the human family to receive “blessing” in Christ, if they will accept it in faith and hope. The election and blessing are a call to become “holy and without blemish,” and also the power to become so. Election and blessing also mean adoption into God’s household, an unearned gift, “in accord with the favor of his will.” This re-creation of human beings in Christ, being a pure gift of God, redounds to the glory of God, whose benevolent, gracious will is always accomplished.
When Mary is confronted with the divine presence through Gabriel, her response is at first puzzlement and then acceptance. Explicitly told she has nothing to fear from Gabriel (or from God), the Virgin believes that she has found favor with God and that what God intends to do, God will be able to do. The child to be born to her is the culmination of a longstanding divine plan. Jesus, as the son of David, will inherit the throne God promised to establish firmly and forever (2 Samuel 7:13). Mary receives this announcement of the divine will, puzzling as it may be, with trust and acceptance, allowing the divine plan for the human race to go forward.