Generations have grown up on a diet of film where, with the last gasp and clip of film, the side of good triumphs. No such Hollywoodism for those who gather to celebrate the Feast of The Immaculate Conception. This Feast is more about beginnings than endings, bringing us right back to Genesis and to Marys traditional parents Joachim and Anne in whose womb she was immaculately conceived.
Its strange then perhaps that the Gospel reading rolls us forward to the Annunciation.
More curious still that we rarely think of Marys experience of pregnancy. Our Lady of Guadalupe being the only image of the Madonna pregnant. A pity, as it can help us on our Advent journey. Being a Christian in some ways resembles pregnancy it should be obvious by the way one acts, thinks, talks, by ones very life. Just as old clothes no longer fit, so being a Christian should mean not fitting into old habits but living for Christ. Pregnancy means joy, sacrifice, concern, new life, pain and changing and of course actively waiting.
On this December 8th, are you full of Christ? Or is that a pregnant silent pause I hear from the pew.
(Comments to Tom at tomascox@eircom.net )