When I (or you, probably) ask your average Joe Christian what the "Immaculate Conception" means, chances are (unfortunately) good that you'll get a wrong answer. Specifically, you'll hear some mumbling about how Jesus was conceived without human sexual intercourse. The assumption being that human sexual intercourse is somehow not "immaculate," or, in other words...dirty.
This drives me nuts.
How many times have you heard that the Church "concentrates too much on the pelvis?" The above described misinterpretation gives the lie to this "opinion."
The Church's use of the term "immaculate" has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with sin. And sin takes many forms, sexuality being one of the least of them. In fact, within the blessed gates of matrimony, human sexuality is a gift beyond price!
When they assume that the Immaculate Conception has anything to do with Christ's miraculous birth from a virgin, they -- not the Church! -- are the ones "concentrating too much on the pelvis."
Perhaps I'm being too tough.
Perhaps because it is beyond the bounds of imagination to imagine a woman -- a woman, mind you, and take that, all you "feminists" who insist that the Church is "anti-woman" -- or any human being to be immaculate in soul. To be born sinless and to live an entire life without sin of any kind.
But don't you see...that's why it's so important to contemplate on this amazing mystery!
And why it's such a gift to us! Of course none of us were born or have lived "full of grace." But how wonderful it is that we have been given a mother who was and is! One who can encourage us whenever we're tempted to sin. And one who, born through the (also miraculous, by the way) process of human sexual intercourse, can help us show gratitude toward our human parents...and the utmost respect for human life, born and unborn.
Do, please, spread the word of Mary's Immaculate Conception...and her Immaculate Heart.
I think that by doing this, we can, by the grace of God, bring the world into the arms of Our Lady...and accomplish miracles.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
