MARY, OUR MOTHER

MARIAN MEDITATION 6
MARY IMMACULATE
THE PRIVILEDGE

Let us today consider the wonderful privilege granted to Mary by God in Her Conception. Let us try to fathom something of the treasures it contains and the reason why Our Lady holds it so dear.

1. A Unique Privilege.
Picture the devil at the entrance of the world. Whenever a man begins his life, Satan brands him with the hallmark of sin. On all men the infernal serpent spits its filthy spittle. All of us due to that stain from the devil were born like that; repugnant and hideous in the sight of God. Think now of what this means for us all. Think of the greatest saints. The most ardent lovers of God are those whom He loved best. See with your imagination all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, virgins, file past. All of them must exclaim with David: I was conceived in iniquity. I was begotten in sin. What a sore sight!

See now instead how the scene changes. Now it is the contrary. Watch that most pure soul springing up from the hands of God, and eluding the devil, entering the world victorious. See the angels accompany Her singing Thou art all beautiful, Mary. There is no stain in Thee! Thou art the exception. Where the others fail, Thou standest. Where the others die, Thou livest. Where the others are stained, Thou remainest pure and immaculate!

A most glorious and unique privilege, indeed!
(From 'Marian Meditation' Book)