by Fr D. Mazibuko osm
8 December 2020
Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin is one of the oldest Dogmas of the Church dating back to the 2nd century, which teaches us that Mary was conceived without the stain of sin, that is, she was conceived without the mark of original sin. God bestowed on her an immaculate beginning. In the Office of Readings for this day, St Anselm eloquently observes “Blessed Lady, sky and stars, earth and rivers, day and night – everything that is subject to the power of man rejoices that through you they are in some sense restored to their lost beauty and are endowed with inexpressible new grace”. The Church Fathers speak of Mary as the new Eve since by her obedience and trust Mary began the process of undoing the harm inflicted by Eve’s disobedience and distrust. It is indeed a day of grace for all of us.
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