ADVENT LANTERN (daily meditations)
December 8.

The thoughts of dr. Jakubinyi György Archbishop Emeritus

The immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary means that she was conceived free from the stain of original sin. Yet as human she also needed redemption. In view of the merits of Jesus Christ—that is called preredemption—she was preserved free from all stain of original sin, and as human she also had to fulfill the obligation resulting as consequence of the original sin.  The whole life of the Virgin Mary is summarized in her response to the angel: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” This is her first prayer that was preserved, she tought it to her Son, the Son of God, as it appears in the third request of the Lord’s Prayer: “Your will be done”. Jesus prayed in the same way on the Mount of Olives on Good Thursday: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” This is also our prayer as we follow the Virgin Mary and the Lord Jesus in happiness and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, on the side of a cradle or a coffin. We always have to say: “Your will be done”. We have to accept God’s will as he knows best what is in favour of our soul.

Photo: Geréd Zsolt