Mary — The New Eve
We just celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother. Mary is the patroness of the United States under her title of the Immaculate Conception. Two significant events took place on the occasion of the Immaculate Conception this year. One was the formal installation of the new cardinals of the Church by Pope Francis and the Mass he celebrated for them on Dec. 8. The other was the rededication of Notre Dame Cathedral after the tragic fire of five years ago.
In his homily to the cardinals at the Mass, Pope Francis recalled the words of St. Pope Paul VI. He recounted, “As St. Paul VI observed, the Mother of God shows us ‘what all of us have deep in our hearts: the authentic image of humanity ... innocent and holy ... Mary’s being is pure harmony, candor, simplicity; it is complete transparency, kindness, perfection; it is utter beauty’ (homily on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 8 Dec. 1963). Mary is pure harmony, candor and simplicity.” These words express the centrality that Mary plays in the life of the Church, as well as in the life of each and every one of us as made in the image and likeness of God. Her Immaculate Conception reminds us of the sanctity of human nature as God created us when He fashioned Adam and Eve.
The consecration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was an extraordinary event in which world leaders came to pay their respects for the restoration of the cathedral after the tragic fire which almost completely destroyed it. Their presence at the event was a reminder of the centrality of Notre Dame in the life of France, and of Mary’s prominent role in the life of the Church. The New York Times referred to the restoration as a miracle. Truly, the miracle of its restoration is the miracle of the life of Mary as the perfect human person. In his homily on the celebration of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis reminded us that three aspects of the life of Mary are being
a daughter, bride and mother. Certainly, in this regard in her Immaculate Conception, she reminds us of the devastating destruction which sin has caused in the world, and in our relationship with God. However, Mary reminds us that God has restored us to Himself through His Son, who became incarnate in her.
Mary’s Immaculate Conception makes clear the eminent and singular place she holds in the life of the Church and in heaven. Chosen by God to be the first to share in the fullness of Christ’s redemption, Mary did not have the least complicity with sin. Her Immaculate Conception is the basis for Mary’s being able to be completely free from the slightest sin all during her life. God bestowed such favor on Mary, not for her sake but for ours. She stands as the sinless one, the perfect disciple, the model of the Church, and the promise of our resurrection through her Assumption, body and soul, into heaven. In her, we see the promise of salvation fully accomplished. We should not believe that Mary’s Immaculate Conception made things easy for her. Like all of us, she had to cooperate with the grace of God in her life. That is why she is such a perfect model.
Mary’s Immaculate Conception reminds us of the reality of sin, both original and personal. Sin is real, and it is the refusal of God’s life. It entered the world through the selfishness of Adam and Eve. By its very nature, sin marred God’s creation and His plan. We are all born with original sin, not through any fault of our own, but through the human condition, which we inherit. We are prone to sin because of original sin. However, the infinite love of God for us cannot be blunted even in the face of sin. God sent His Son to us that He might restore His creation and plan. While we have been redeemed, we still bear the effects of original sin. Mary’s sinlessness reminds us of the perfect attitude toward God, which should have been that of Adam and Eve and should be our own. Mary could only remain sinless through the favor of God, which is held out to all of us. We
still live in an imperfect world, and only the grace of Christ can perfect it. Mary is our hope in the face of our own sinfulness, which is always overcome by God’s merciful forgiveness.
Mary’s Immaculate Conception also speaks of the sanctity of all human life from the moment of conception. The human person comes into existence then and God’s plan for each individual begins to unfold. Such was true for Mary from the instant of her conception in the womb of St. Anne. God’s plan for her was unique, and her Immaculate Conception is the first event in that singular plan. So, it is with all of us and every individual human life made in God’s image and likeness. Every life is sacred and unique, never to be repeated again. In our own day and age, the Immaculate Conception of Mary speaks volumes as to why abortion is evil and contradictory to the unique purpose and sanctity of every life. Indeed, the propensity of our culture to devalue the sanctity of life stands much in line with the original sin of Adam and Eve. Such an attitude is the result of original sin, and carrying it out is the substance of true personal sin. Life is sacred at every stage, from the moment of conception until death, and must be cherished as such.
It is very important to reflect upon the reality that Adam and Eve came into this world without original sin. The special favors bestowed upon them by God did not exempt them from turning away from God and committing the original sin. This is so important because, reflecting upon Mary’s Immaculate Conception, it was just as possible for her to commit sin, but she never did. She went in the direction of living as Adam and Eve should have and, because of that, is a living example to us of being a daughter, bride and mother. Again, things were not easy for Mary, and there would have been so many situations in which Mary could have turned from the Lord and His plan for her, but she never did. She remains sinless. By doing so, she draws us all into her life, so that we might have the life of her Son. She is the new Eve.
Let us look to Mary during this season of Advent. Her Immaculate Conception speaks to us of the realities which will draw us closer to her Son and make our celebration of Christmas a more fruitful one in our lives and for our world today.
Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito
December 13, 2024
