Our First lady

Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 98 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12;  Luke 1:26-38

Today on this Feast of the Immaculate conception, Our Pope will journey to the Piazza Spagna in Rome to give honor to the Image of the Immaculate Mary, as she towers over the city imploring on our behalf to respond to grace and reject sin; 

The Pope reminds us that in Mary we see the reflection of beauty that saves.

Today in the United States we all bow in honor to give reverence to the Patroness of our Country, Our First Lady in Faith, the Immaculate Mary.  

As we read in the gospel, The angel came to Mary and saluted her with singular reverence, "Hail full of grace the Lord is with You."  Indeed, we unite our voices and our beating hearts with the words of the angel Gabriel, "Mary you are highly favored and in you we are now favored as well."  

May we never forget that at Mary's conception a  new age has dawn, sin gives way to grace and a new way of being human makes its presence felt in the world. 

Mary from the beginning is set apart for this singular role in the mystery of God's plan to bestow upon all grace upon grace.  From the beginning, through Mary, the world now experiences love that never knew sin.  Thus, from her intercession, Jesus the savior is born.  

We continue to call upon her intercession that we may allow Jesus to be born in us more and more as we journey forth day to day, as morning gives way to night and night gives way to dawning light. 

In the words of Moses we find our hearts echoing our own gratitude and petition, "Now, if I have found favor with you, do let me know your ways so that in knowing you, I may continue to find favor with you." Exodus 33:13

Mary, Our first lady in the faith, teach us how to find favor with God, and pray that we may have the courage risking to love without sin, and thus grace will abound more and more.