Genesis 3:9-15, 20 / Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 / Luke 1:26-38
The Immaculate Conception is about the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother without any stain of sin.
Church doctrine states that, from the first moment of her existence, Mary was preserved by God from the Original Sin and filled with sanctifying grace that would normally come with baptism after birth.
The Immaculate Conception was proclaimed as a dogma in 1854 by Pope Pius IX. It means that it is to be accepted as an infallible statement of faith.
But why such a focus on Mary? Yet, we must remember that any teaching about Mary must eventually point to Christ.
The teaching on the Immaculate Conception points to the grace of God which preserved Mary from sin at her conception in order that she will bear the divine Son of God in her at the Annunciation.
Although God removed sin from Mary at her conception, He did not remove her free will and her freedom of choice.
At the Annunciation, Mary made her choice for God's plan to be fulfilled in her.
We have been cleansed of sin at our baptism. It is for us now to remain in God's grace by choosing to do God's will always, just as Mary chose to do God's will.
On this feast of the Immaculate Conception, let us also ask for Mary's intercession for the grace to do God's will always.
Let us pray that prayer found on the Miraculous Medal, or otherwise also called the medal of the Immaculate Conception.
The prayer goes like this: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.