Lk 1:26-38 Paradise Won

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Click here for readings)

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.  And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace!"

Just as God gave man the ability to distinguish between night and day, so He gave him the ability to distinguish between beauty and ugliness.

This morning I read in the news how a group of Satanists have decided to place a monument next to a monument dedicated to God.  Of course the ACLU has filed a lawsuit seeking its removal (that is, of the monument dedicated to God), calling it unconstitutional.  Brady Henderson, the legal director for ACLU, Oklahoma, said if state officials allow one type of religious expression, they must allow alternative forms. According to him, the best solution would be to allow no expressions of religion at all on State property.

Media outlets have joined in and are having a field day with this, calling the Ten Commandments monument "ill conceived."

I disagree.  It was very well conceived, even if the legislators knew not what they were doing. After all, Christ's teachings stand tall by themselves, but take it from me, they will appear even taller when compared to the teachings of others, especially Satanists.  

For far too long we have heard how "all religions are the same." For some well-intended people this could mean they are all right. For some not so well-intended people this could mean they are all wrong.   For some believers this could mean they all teach love. For many non-believers this could mean they all teach hate.  

You see how much confusion there is out there?  

As for me I say, bring them all in.  The more the merrier!  T'is the season to be merry!!

Mary, full of grace.  Some people just have it all: looks, talents, intelligence, health and drive. Now we could spend our entire life being jealous of them and wishing ill upon them, or we could spend our life learning from others and accepting who we are.  What I have seen is what most people have seen.  Some people who have it all shine like stars, while others, who have it all, shine like falling stars.

Mary had it all.  She was full of grace, which means she was full of faith, hope and love.  That's it!  That's all she had.  That's all she needed.  And to this day, she shines brighter and higher than any other star.  In defeat she never lost her heart.  In victory she never lost her head.  She was, and remains, a remarkable woman.  An example for all young women and men.    

It's not bad to compare oneself to others, as long as jealousy is not fueling the comparison.  It's good to compare ourselves to Mary and to strive to be more like her.  Jealousy would simply be counterproductive when examining her virtues and inspecting what is under her feet.