THIS Tuesday (December 8, 2020), we will be celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Concepcion, remembering how the Blessed Virgin Mary was, “from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” We remember how our Blessed Mother was granted the privilege of being free from the curse of original sin, as a perfect vessel by which our Lord, Jesus Christ would enter into humanity.
Mother Mary’s life is a glimpse of how the fullness of the Lord’s grace operates in our own lives: not just because she experienced God’s willingness to deliver humanity from sin but also in the obedience and courage she has shown in receiving such grace.
Imagine for a moment, being a young woman engaged to get married, she discovered that God had a different plan from what she had already envisioned for her life.
There are, among us, many mothers who have been surprised by the news of an unplanned pregnancy. Just hearing that news would change one’s life. Now, imagine being pregnant with the Son of God, destined to redeem all of humankind.
Yet, Mary, upon hearing this news, welcomed it with open arms. She expressed her willingness to be used for God’s purpose, to let the things God has planned happen to her as they should. That takes an amazing amount of trust. And just as important, an amazing amount of courage.
Today, we are facing unprecedented challenges. This pandemic has brought into our communities and households fear and doubt. Many of us have suffered economically: losing jobs and livelihood; having to rely on government support and the charity of others just to get by. Many parts of the country also grappled with a series of disastrous typhoons which we are learning to be “the new normal” under a changing climate. And throughout these tragedies, we are underwhelmed by the scandals and questionable actions of some of those in power, whose priority seems to be sowing division and fear among the population.
It would take a great amount of faith for us to say to these events: “Let them happen as God has planned.” And yet, Mary’s example invites us to do just that. But let us not forget that our Blessed Mother’s acceptance of God’s power and plan is preceded by her willingness to serve: “I am willing to be used by the Lord.”
As the problems beset us, we are seeing at the same time the willingness of individuals and groups to help one another and fight for each other’s rights. Our medical frontliners have been and are still putting their lives in danger to help the sick and contain the virus. Many individual volunteers and groups have shown their willingness to give what they have and mobilize others to aid those who have been affected by the typhoons. Advocates for human rights and good governance, working outside and within the government, are working to hold corrupt officials accountable, and make sure that we live in a society where we can enjoy the fullness of our rights, without fear of harm from those tasked with protecting us.
We want the future to be better than today, yet the future holds just as many challenges as today. Yet, we are told that God is good and His plan for us will certainly reveal His grace and love for us. The life of our Mother Mary gives us the secret to gaining the courage and peace needed to get through times of trouble: the willingness to serve God’s purpose through all of it.
We still have a lot to do. We still have to observe the rules set up to contain the virus. This means sacrifices must be made in some of our customs and traditions, including this Christmas Season. We still have to help those in need, especially our neighbors who have been most affected by this string of disasters. This also means caring for our environment, especially our mountains and forests which keep us safe from the worst effects of climate change. We still have to keep vigilant and actively participate in our communities as citizens. Sometimes, this means engaging in meaningful criticism and offering alternatives to our leaders.
The things that we are called to do are great and need a great amount of strength and sacrifice. But just like the Blessed Virgin, we are given by God the tools and the grace to face them and overcome them beforehand. All we need to do is follow Mary’s example: Say yes to God. Let God use us. This will give us the courage to let the things that need to happen according to God’s plan.