Mary, The New Eve

It was fitting that she, the New Eve, who was to cooperate so intimately with her Son in the work of our redemption, be entirely free of sin. She who was to be associated with her Son in His victory over Satan must never have been under the dominion of Satan.

In revealing to us Mary’s Immaculate Conception and perfect holiness, God places before our eyes a concrete model of what we are to love, and, loving, strive to be. He gives us a model that is at once perfect and yet lowly, lovable, and imitable. Despite her unique privilege and lofty holiness, Mary is the most imitable of the saints, because her greatness is in her lowliness. She is the handmaid of the Lord. Mother, yes, but first handmaid. Blessed because she believed.

In gazing upon the Immaculate Virgin, utterly free of the disorders of our sinful nature, the devout faithful feel a new hope in their own humanity. In contrast to our experience of a world given to sin, corruption, lying, cheating, cruelty, and lust, we see a fellow creature that is utterly pure and good, totally given to love, a mother’s love for all. For mortals trapped in this valley of tears to look upon the sinless Virgin is like prisoners buried in a dungeon being allowed to see the bright sun and breathe pure air once more.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!!

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Pentecost

We know we are a child of the Holy Ghost if we avoid grievous sin. The Holy Ghost can only dwell in a soul who has no part of serious sin. Every sin is an abomination to the Holy Ghost. Saint Paul writes: “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God.” In other words, do not sin! Sin turns the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost into the dwelling place of Satan! Saint Gregory says: “The sinner’s heart is the devil’s workshop, but not the dwelling of the Holy Ghost.” It is most notably the sins of impurity-unchaste thoughts, words, and actions which drive the Holy Ghost out of our hearts. The sensual man cannot receive the grace of the Holy Ghost. The book of Genesis tells us: “My spirit shall not remain in man forever, because he is flesh;” in other words, because he is addicted to the lust of the flesh.

If you have lost the Holy Ghost through leading a sinful life now is the time to repent! You must do penance to purify your soul and receive the Holy Ghost once again into your heart. Saint Peter says: “Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”


In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

More on the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

What relevance does this doctrine have for our own spiritual life? Why was it God's design to preserve Mary from every stain of sin? Why did He destine her to attain a degree of holiness far beyond that of any other mere creature? And why did God choose to reveal to us the special favors He bestowed upon the lowly handmaid of Nazareth?

First, it was fitting that Mary be conceived without sin because she was destined to be the worthy, beloved Mother of the Holy God. In preserving Mary from all sin, God prepared a holy tabernacle in which His Son was to dwell, a holy body from which He was to take His humanity, a holy Mother whom He could love with the fullness of His divine/human love. The Immaculate Conception is ultimately a reflection of the holiness of Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, with whom Mary was destined to enter into such an intimate relationship.

Sin is alienation from God, disorder in one's relation to God, a loss of the divine image, a defilement of one's being. It was fitting that one who was to be the Mother of God never experience such alienation, disorder, loss, or defilement. What veneration we therefore owe the Blessed Virgin!

Second, it was fitting that she, the New Eve, who was to cooperate so intimately with her Son in the work of our redemption, be entirely free of sin. She who was to be associated with her Son in His victory over Satan must never have been under the dominion of Satan.

Third, in revealing to us Mary's Immaculate Conception and perfect holiness, God places before our eyes a concrete model of what we are to love, and, in loving, strive to be. He gives us a model that is at once perfect and yet lowly, lovable, and imitable. Despite her unique privilege and lofty holiness, Mary is the most imitable of the saints because her greatness is in her lowliness. She is the handmaid of the Lord. Mother yes, but first handmaid. Blessed becasuse she believed.

In gazing upon the Immaculate Virgin, utterly free of the disorders of our sinful nature, the devout faithful feel a new hope in their own humanity. In contrast to their experience of a world given to sin, corruption, lying, cheating, cruelty and lust, they see a fellow creature that is utterly pure and good, totally given to love, a mother's love for all. For mortals trapped in this world of sin to look upon the sinless Virgin is like the mine workers recently buried in South America for so long who were eventually saved and allowed to see the bright sun and breathe pure air once more.

Finally, in revealing to the Church Mary's Immaculate Conception and perfect holiness God shows in her what the Church is called to be and what He will ultimately make her to be.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching