“These great blessings spring from the blessed fruit of Mary’s womb. Through the fullness of the grace that was given to you, dead things rejoice in their freedom, and those in heaven are glad to be made new.” (From a sermon by St. Anselm)
While we are still near the beginning of Advent, we recall the Immaculate Conception of Mary in her mother’s womb and ponder the grace that has become available to us all. From the first moment of her existence, God filled the Blessed Virgin Mary with His grace so as to prepare her for the life as our Savior’s mother.
The gift of grace from God is an act of love on His part, a calling of each of us to Himself. When we respond to Love with love and surrender, great and miraculous things result. Because of Mary’s faithful response to grace, God entered history, became man and redeemed us. In similar ways, our response to grace can lead to the salvation of others. What a great blessing grace is. And what a great responsibility it carries.
