The Immaculate Conception is such a great mystery that I pity any priest that ever has to preach a sermon on it. I was thinking and praying about it as I walked the dog raound the park in the snow tonight and a passage from the Preface ofthe Fourth Eucharistic Prayer in Ordinary Time (which is a combination of Heb 2.17 and 4.15} came to mind: 'Like us in all things but sin' (describing Jesus} came to mind, for it could equally be used to describe Mary, the Immaculate Conception. In modern times commentators on Mary and her life tend to emphsise the, 'Like us in all things' part and drop the 'except sin' part. I suppose everyone must try to find their own key for trying to gain some insight of the Mystery that is Mary the Mother of God. But in my own prayer life I suppose I have drawn closer to the 'Without sin ' part. I feel a very real sense of awe as I think of her and pray to her. I remebr one time going into the Taae Gallery in London and seeing a painting there by Valasquez of the Immaculate Conception and being so taken by it I bought a print and used to pray in front of it for a very long time: My own feeling about the Immaculate Conception is just awe. I don't know it brings about a happy feeling of the most profound ,wonderful mystery. I can see why the Arcangel said, 'Full of grace' when he saw her...and I think he must have said it on his knees. For in saying 'Full of grace' we too are saying, 'Immaculate Conception' . Like us in all things...but when you say, 'Except sin' you are saying soemthing else entirely..... I read one visionary in describing the angels attitude to Mary, they called her simple, 'Queen'..I find this so easy to imagine, for that one word 'Queen' says it all. So I can hardly even think about this mystery this 'Full of grace' all I can do is say the words and stare.....as the words of the hymn goes, 'With my heart on fire'. Ahhhhhhh such a mystery. ]
Padraig, Full of Grace is such an awesome mystery! We are so used to praying, "Hail Mary, full of grace..." that often we forget that Gabriel never addressed Our Lady by her Hebrew name, Mariam, but simply by the title, "Full of Grace". The original Greek signifies an already-possessed completeness, so that the title Full of Grace refers more directly to Mary's standing at the moment of the Annunciation than to her Maternal calling. Full of Grace precedes Mother of God even though the two are intimately connected. That is why I'm disturbed by the modern translation, Highly favored, for it obscures the great gift bestowed on Mary by the Almighty. I believe this gift, Full of Grace, makes possible not only Mary, Mother of God, but her call to be Mother to each of us. And as you have recently mentioned in another thread, Mary's call to be Mother to me is something very personal and tender. Mary likes me! Amazing! And all of you, too! There is so much wealth in this truth that I feel called to write a separate post to speak on it. Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
I didn't know this about, 'THe full of grace' words, Terry; thanks for filling me in!! I think...as far as I know the name means 'Exalted one'. This too I think points in part to the Immaculate Conception. I had a dream last night about a white ox which I will recont and interpret. The White Ox. I dreamt I was back in Ancient Greece and stood watching a farmer ploughing a dry dusty field with a most beautiful white ox. The ox was so lovely that I went over closer to study it. I love al lanimals but had of course as a city boy no experience with such a thing as an ox. It was spotless white very, very strong and with the most beautiful , unusual blue eyes. Also it seemed to me that it was full of the most wonderful Spirit, power and strength. I spoke to the farmer about the ox but caught up withe his everyday labours he was curt and almost discourteous and I noted with surprise he did not seem to value or appreciate the animal. But a thought came to me that the beast could be used to attack a neighbouring, enemy city by pulling a battering ram and that we could be successful in doing so because thsi anmal was really so special. I tried to explain this to the farmer but it was difficult in that he was so caught up in his task... I woke up and the dream seemed so clear I thought it must have a spiritual meaning but could not think what it was, so I prayed for understanding which was given and the interpretation of the dream is as folows; The farmer reprented amnkind, who caught up in the everydays of life and work fail to pray and so become coarsened and unable to see the inner spiritual realities. The dusty field represented the Wordl, which lacking the waters of the Holy Spirit becomes dry and hard to work. The White OX represented the Immacualte Conception pure but with great strength and beauty. The Farmer , mankind fail through prayer to see the true worth of the Immaculate Conception and so fail to use her as we might. The city from which I came from represents the Catholic Church. The Enemy City represents the Kingdon of Satan on Earth. By respecting and appreciating the Immaculate Conception at her true worth and showing her devotion we are able to batter down the doors of the Enmey Citadel and conquer it. The battering ram which the White Ox will pull to demolish the doorways of the enmey city are the last Marian Dogma's. However unless the farmer opens himself to the true worth of the white ox he will never appreciate the possibilites of which she can bring. So that the true pathweay to the Last Dogma's are the pathways of prayer, of Devotion to and appreciation of The Immaculate Conception, which we haven't really done yet.
Boy, Padraig, you have such interesting dreams. You must wonder what's in store for you each night before you drop off!! Some are scary, for sure, but interesting too!! by the last dogmas, do you think it means Mary as the co-distributor of graces? I forget what it's officially called, co-medi something? Does anyone know?
Try saying the rosary just before or as you pop off, PC, I shouldn't be surprised if your prayers carry on to your dreams; dreams and visions are closely linked in Scripture: Joel 2:28 "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Acts 2:17 "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. ..in answer to your question thee are three linked Dogmas , which I believe will be declared together:
