Immaculate Conception Meditation 2022

Gabriel Z. Pacheco gives a brief meditation on how the Immaculate Conception is the prime example of how to love Christ and Man.

Dear Friends in Christ, 

We come now to the feast of our special Patroness, the Immaculate Conception Herself. From the moment of Her Conception to the end of Her life Mary’s entire being was bent on loving God, with nothing held back or reserved. In the same way we should avoid a life filled with safety and half measures, a life that seems secure but ends in emptiness and despair. Instead, we must take the risk of living a life defined by great and daring love. Yes, be thankful, be generous, be kind, these are good and necessary things. However, we must remember that they are meant to be the fuel that nourishes and spurs on an ardent and ever growing, ever consuming love. In the end this is the only thing that matters. Love is the only thing that lasts. In the twilight of our years when everything fades, only one thing will stand out in stark, unfading grandeur. Not wealth, not reputation, education, or position. The Deep will cry out to our deep and the Sacred Hearts will ask our hearts what we did with their love. Let us forge a resounding response that resonates through all eternity. A response of love. 

You may say that this is all fine and dandy high-minded idealism, but what about real life? How can I love God through the people who hurt me, the people who scorn me, the boring people around me? Beyond all that, how can I love myself, the worst one of all? First, we must gratefully, thankfully, and fully accept the love of Jesus and Mary. Then, we make the choice to completely embrace our life’s circumstances, including those annoying, hurtful, plain, boring, lovely, enjoyable people around us. By looking at them and recognizing that they are there for us to love. By bearing their faults, treating them with respect in thought, word, and deed, and by receiving their love. By doing it all for the love of the Sacred Hearts. This is the meaning of life, the telos of humanity, the reason we were created. Without love then we are nothing, but with love we gain Everything. 

May God’s Countenance Shine Upon You, 
Gabriel Z. Pacheco
Charitable Development Coordinator