This evening we are called upon to reflect on two women who have had more of an influence on humanity than any other woman in the world. Two women who are vastly different, yet who have something very much in common.
Today, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, we celebrate the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was herself, conceived without original sin: that she had a special grace given by God from the moment she was called into being. What we sometimes forget is that Eve – and Adam – had that same gift! Adam and Eve were created without original sin. They were gifted directly with God’s grace. Recall how Genesis says God created them and it was good.
But what happened? What is the difference between Mary and that first woman, Eve? We have two women. Both grace-filled from the moment of their creation. And each one was visited by a divine messenger, an angel. Don’t forget the tradition that Satan, or Lucifer, was a fallen angel. So here we have Eve visited by Satan in the form of a serpent; and Mary being visited by the angel Gabriel. Both women were offered an extraordinary opportunity by their messengers, but with a significantly different outcome.
Consider how Eve was tempted by Satan to become like God; while Mary was invited by Gabriel to become the mother of the Son of God! Upon these two occasions, both women were frightened. Who can blame them!? But how they responded within their fear, makes the difference; for them and for us.
When Eve was asked the question: “Did you do this?” her immediate reaction was denial: “I was tricked! I didn’t want to do it; but I was forced to do it.” The question put to Mary was slightly different: “Will you do this? Will you bear the Son of God?” Her response was far from being a denial when she replied: “I am the servant of the lord. Let it be done to me as you say.”
What do these two women have to say to us this evening? What meaning can be drawn in our lives from theirs? Two women who had the grace of God, a grace like that which we receive through our own baptism. A grace which comes from God and calls us to God. Yet, both Eve and Mary had free will: the ability to deny responsibility and to blame others, as well as the ability to accept responsibility. And that is the difference between their responses to the temptation by Satan and the invitation by Gabriel.
In one case, Eve denied her responsibility and turned away from God. She said “yes” to the temptation. She denied her responsibility by saying “no,” it was not her fault. And by doing that, she turned away from God. Have you ever wondered what might have happened if Eve had said to God, “Yes, Yahweh, I did take the forbidden fruit, but please forgive me.”
Then there is Mary, who accepted her responsibility and turned towards God. On the other hand, what if Mary had said: “No, I will not accept this so-called favor you offer.” Or “Yes, I’ll do it, but only if the throne of David is under my control.”
This is the message I see in today’s readings: each moment I am both tempted and invited. I can either deny or accept. I can blame others for my errors or I can accept my faults and ask for God’s forgiveness. I can either walk away from my God or walk towards him. The choice is mine – and yours. Is today your day to be tempted by Satan or invited by Gabriel?
Immaculate Conception; December 8, 1987
Gn 3:9-15, 20; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38