Dear Parish Family:
This week, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This dogma of the Church which must be believed by Catholics was defined by Pope Bl. Pius IX in 1854: “In the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful” (Ineffiabilis Deus).
Pope Bl. Pius IX did not make up or create this doctrine; rather, he put into words what the Catholic Church has always professed and believed about Mary. For example, St. Irenaeus (200 AD) wrote about the link between Eve and Mary, “the New Eve,” connecting to St. Paul’s reference in Romans regarding Adam and Jesus, “the New Adam.” If there is a “New Adam” who redeems the universe, then there must be a “New Eve.” If the first Adam and Eve were created in Original Holiness, then the New Adam and New Eve should also be created in Original Holiness since, as St. Irenaeus argues, Old Testament types are necessarily inferior to their New Testament fulfillment. Thus, it would not be fitting for Mary to be tainted by Original Sin or Personal Sin.
The Immaculate Conception of Mary sets up for the Son (Second Person of the Trinity) to become flesh (Incarnation). Throughout the Old Testament, only consecrated people and things were permitted to touch and/or contain the sacred and divine. For example, when David brought the Ark of the Covenant (which contains the Real Presence of God for the Israelites) to Jerusalem, Uzzah put out his hand on the Ark to guide it but he died because he was unworthy to touch the Ark (cf. 1 Chron 13:5-12). So, when the Incarnate Real Presence of God (Jesus) comes into the world, He needs a vessel (a woman) worthy of Him, set aside and unmarked by sin.
The Bible speaks about the ways God instructs His people to cleanse and purify themselves before entering His presence and handling sacred items. To violate/misuse sacred items, places or persons is called “sacrilege.” This can take the form of irreverence and being too casual with the sacred. It can be verbal offenses (blasphemy), or it can be a physical desecration. Sacrilege can be done knowingly (which deserves worse punishments) or unknowingly (which still needs rectification). Remember we have a duty to inform and form our consciences to know right from wrong.
The Catechism says: “Sacrilege consists in profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God. Sacrilege is a grave sin especially when committed against the Eucharist, for in this sacrament the true Body of Christ is made substantially present for us” (CCC 2120).
Jesus says: “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Mt 5:23-24). We might apply this to our preparation for receiving Holy Communion. If we are aware of grave sin, we ought to be reconciled before receiving Holy Communion; otherwise, we would be committing sacrilege. “Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to Communion” (CCC 1385).
St. Paul says: “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Cor 11:27-29). St. Paul is reminding us that we must prepare well to receive Holy Communion. Presenting ourselves for Holy Communion as if we can do no wrong would be careless treating the Blessed Sacrament as if it is not worthy of our concern for a right disposition of heart. St. Paul is saying such carelessness merits a harsh judgement from God.
How do we discern well so as not to commit “sacrilege”? First, we must follow the Spirit guided rules of the Catholic Church. If we are not in full communion with the Catholic Church and presenting ourselves for Holy Communion, we have not discerned well because we have placed ourselves over the Church God gave us to discern such things. Next, we must know what grave matter is and what makes something mortal sin, so that we can confess these things before going to Holy Communion. Third, we must come to Mass prepared to worship God! This might mean spending time prior to Mass (either in church or at home) meditating—thanking God for our salvation and all He has done for us since we were last to Mass, talking to God about the intentions we are bringing to God at this Mass, and reflecting on how good and loving God is stirring up adoration and praise in our hearts.
We might also try reading the readings before Mass starts in order to attune our ears for when they are proclaimed to us. However, be mindful, the proclamation of the Word of God is first and foremost in order to worship God and second for teaching us. God wants His Word proclaimed in our worship because it glorifies His Holy Name. Sometimes we as Catholics can get overly concerned about “getting something out” of the readings rather than viewing this proclamation as right worship and praise of God. This is a mindset we should have towards everything in Holy Mass—for right worship and praise of God—especially our reception of Holy Communion.
I hope this connection between the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and preparation for receiving Holy Communion has benefited your spiritual life. Please be like Mary who “pondered all these things in her heart” and see where God leads you to increase your faith, reverence and devotion to the most Blessed Sacrament and the Holy Mass.
In Jesus, through Mary and St. Joseph,
Father Danda
