December 08, 2025 Monday of the Second Week of Advent
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38
Children of God: Here’s a beautiful fun fact — even in Islam, Mary is deeply honored. In fact, she is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an, and an entire chapter, Surah Maryam, is dedicated to her. Muslims regard her as pure, faithful, and chosen by God. This reminds us that Mary’s holiness and obedience shine across faiths and cultures. And, as we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we honor her as the woman prepared by God from the very beginning — free from sin — so she could give her perfect “yes” to His plan of salvation.
In the story of the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel comes to Mary and announced that she is to be with a child. Though she was troubled at first, Mary listened and asked, “How can this be?” (Luke 1:34). Then came her humble response: “I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). In that moment, her trust and obedience allowed God’s promise to take flesh. Heaven touched earth because of Mary’s yes.
The Immaculate Conception teaches us that Mary’s purity was not just freedom from sin — it was freedom for mission. Because her heart was pure, she could fully receive God’s will without hesitation. Her “yes” was not blind submission, but a confident act of faith rooted in love. Even without knowing the future — the poverty of Bethlehem, the exile in Egypt, or the sorrow of the Cross — Mary trusted that God’s plan, though mysterious, was always good.
In our daily lives, God also invites us to say our own “yes” — in moments of challenge, in calls to forgive, to serve, or to persevere. Saying yes to God may not lead us to comfort, but it always leads us closer to Christ. When our hearts are free from selfishness and sin, like Mary’s Immaculate Heart, we become vessels of God’s grace to others.
Children of God: As we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, let us thank God for giving us Mary, pure, faithful, and full of grace. May her words inspire us: “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Like her, may we learn to trust completely, obey joyfully, and let our lives reflect the beauty of a heart fully given to God.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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