Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Luke 1:26-38
On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we read a passage from the beginning of human history, from Genesis. In simple words, how we messed up our own life by disobedience.
The Lord asked Adam, ‘Where are you?’ Jewish rabbis often remarked that God, the One who knows everything, does not know where Adam is. However, they answer God knew where Adam was. He was not asking about the place but rather where are you in your life? What have you done with your life? It is a bitter recognition you destroyed what I gave you. You fooled yourself. And we see the messiness.
Adam did not take responsibility, even though he was there with Eve the whole time. He could have said to her: No, don’t talk to him! He did not. Instead, he accuses God “the women you gave me” and throws everything on Eve. Eve is not bitter at all. She accuses the serpent.
Through this story, we face our own reality – mistrust in God, constant accusation of others for our own faults or at least explanations how we are not in fact responsible because of the circumstances, other people and their influence, etc. Fear. Distance keeping from God and others. Lack of inner peace. Brokenness. Just like Adam and Eve.
However, the Lord did not regret creating humans or did he totally turn away from us. We bear the consequences of our actions, but the Lord already promises help: Her offspring will crush your head.
In the Hebrew text, offspring is singular, and the following pronouns used are singular as well. Likewise, the Greek translation of the OT uses singular. Already in the time of Jesus, Targums (Jewish commentaries) point to the “offspring” as the Messiah, a concrete individual. It is a concrete individual and not a group!
The Gospel tells us the story of fulfilment of the ancient prophecy from the dawn of history. A woman whose offspring will crush the head of the enemy is this young girl, Mariam (Mary) from Nazareth. Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you! (Lk 1:28). In the Greek text, this is one sentence. Because the Lord is with Mary, she is full of grace! The Lord is the cause of this fullness and not Mary. She is the one that receives it. She is full of grace because the Lord made her so. This is the reason to rejoice. The parts of the sentence explain each other.
We should read the two accounts as parallels. What was messed up at the beginning now is being restored. Instead of fear, rejoicing. Instead of confusion and accusations of others, Mary enters a dialogue and receives answers. Instead of mistrust and refusal, Mary accepts and surrenders.
The Immaculate Conception is a special moment that urges us to stop and ponder the reality of our life. The Lord created and chose a virgin to be the beginning of salvation. He preserved her in a special way from the consequences of the original sin – the Lord is with you. He made her pure of heart so she would absolutely trust the Lord and no one else.
The Byzantine liturgy praises this divine plan in the following words: Today the beginning of our salvation is conceived in barren womb; and Anna rejoices with Joachim, Adam rejoices to be freed, and with them, we also begin our hymn: rejoice, O woman full of grace, the Lord is with you.
It is fitting indeed to sing together Psalm 98: Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds! Do not listen to this psalm but pray it! Sing it! It is your salvation as well.
The Lord, through Mary’s child, Jesus, has chosen you as well. Paul reminds us of this in his letter to the Ephesians. Take this hymn with you and pray it during this day! If you feel distant from this rejoicing, ask yourself the same question as the Lord did ask: Adam, where are you? What have you done with your life?
Whatever the answer is, share it with him. Just as Mary expressed her confusion and questions. Do not point to others or circumstances. Do not hide like Adam and Eve. Be honest with the Lord. Return to him, for he has chosen you to be his child! Today is the new beginning for you as well, for the Lord remembered his kindness and faithfulness to you!