Reflection for December 8
Did you know that God wants to marry us? The desire for God is written in our hearts. God's plan has always been to fulfill those deepest desires of our heart: our deepest longing for eternal life with God.
Saint Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body teaches that the Incarnation reveals to us what it means to be human and the meaning of our bodies. "The body, in fact, and only the body is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It has been created to transfer into the visible reality of the world the mystery hidden from eternity in God, and thus to be a sign of it."
On this, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we celebrate that Mary was chosen by God--and set apart from the very moment of her own conception--to be the mother of the Son of Man. Mary's yes is the yes of the eternal bride. Mary holds nothing back and gives everything of herself to God. The Annunciation is the model of the spousal relationship between God and us.
Mary's womb is the bridal chamber of the marriage of Heaven and Earth. It is where the Invisible God has chosen to make himself visible. Mary was filled bodily with all of the fullness of God. We are filled in a similar way when we receive the Eucharist.
Lord, let our yes join with Mary’s yes as we receive you.
Scott Flanagan