Monday 9 December

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Is 35:1-10, Ps 84:9-14, Luke 5:17-26

Co-operating with the divine will

Devotion to Mary is devotion to one who draws us, more than any other Saint, to God, through her son Jesus Christ. Mary’s conception without original sin was God’s gift to the one he chose to be his human mother. As Mary herself acknowledges she was “blessed”. She received God’s “favour.” But God also needed her free co-operation and it was her “yes” on which our salvation depended. Throughout our lives God constantly seeks our co-operation also. May our devotion to Mary inspire us to respond as she did.