The Lord teaches us through His Church: "In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 490). Mary was immaculately conceived "to be able to give the free assent of her faith." A cynic may say that at Jesus' Incarnation, Mary was a teenage girl from a rural town who had no idea what she was saying when she gave her "fiat." Some would say that her "fiat" was not a great, grace-filled act of faith and love but an expression of confusion and ignorance. However, the truth of Mary's Immaculate Conception indicates that Mary's "fiat" was not flawed by a fallen human nature.
The Lord likewise wants our commitment to Him to be free, deep, pure, and great. Of course, our fallen human nature has diminished the quality of our commitment to the Lord. Nevertheless, when we receive and live out our Baptism, repent of our sins, and grow in holiness, we can commit ourselves to the Lord with pure motives. We can love the Lord unconditionally for Himself, not merely to avoid hell and obtain the happiness of heaven.
May our assent of faith in the Lord be as free, pure, and deep as possible. "Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you."
| PRAYER: | Father, purify my commitment to You and make it of the highest quality. |
| PROMISE: | "In Him we were chosen." –Eph 1:11 |
| PRAISE: | Alleluia! We, with Mary, have victory in Jesus. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College