Hail Full of Grace
Motherhood is not only a gift from God, but also an invitation to participate with Him in the creative act. God, who created us from dust, invites a mother in a special way to enter into the mystery of creation, to feel the first stirrings of new life, to nurture this unique and unrepeatable person within her womb, and bring this life into the world through her own sacrifice of pain. It is through pain that women give life, which is an echo of the sacrifice of pain that Jesus endured to give us eternal life. It is through the cooperation of one very special woman that Jesus came into the world to give us that everlasting life.
When the Angel Gabriel says “hail full of grace” to the Blessed Virgin, he reveals to us the Immaculate Conception of Mary, and also the perfection of Her Divine Son. What was hidden in the Old Testament suddenly becomes clear.
Adam and Eve prior to their fall from grace converse with God openly in the Garden of Eden. They are pure and perfect and enjoy communion with Him. After their fall from grace they are so ashamed of their sin they cannot bear to meet God face to face and try to hide from Him. They realize too late that God is so holy that they cannot bear direct contact with Him any longer.
When Moses receives the 10 commandments, the stone is reverenced because God Himself has touched it and it symbolizes the sacred covenant between God and their nation. The Israelites build an ark to house this holy covenant. The ark itself is such a holy vessel that any unholy person who touches the ark dies on the spot.
Just as Adam and Eve were created in a state of grace, so too were Mary and Jesus. Unlike Adam and Eve who rejected God’s plan through their disobedience, Mary and Jesus embraced God’s plan through their obedience. (Lk 1:38; Lk 22:42) Christ became Man to perfectly fulfill what we could not and to establish a new covenant between God and all of humanity. Jesus is the new covenant. How much more holy is His sacred body than stone? Does it not follow that God would create a perfect vessel to house His Sacred Body? Would He not adorn His chosen vessel with every grace and blessing as He prepares Her to be the dwelling place of His most beloved Son? Would not this perfect vessel be free from any defects? Mary’s perfection is a sign of God the Father’s love for His Son. She magnifies His grace.
Mary is the ark of the new covenant, carrying Jesus to her cousin Elizabeth who is filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaims, “Blessed are you among women.” “Hail, full of grace” reveals Mary’s perfection as a creature of God and shows us the even greater perfection and glory of God.
Our Lord desires to share with all of us the gift He gave the Blessed Virgin Mary – the gift of His presence within us. At Holy Communion we receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus. He enters into our being just as He entered into Mary’s being. Do we welcome Him as She did? Are we in a state of grace when we receive Him? Do we take a moment to tell Him how much we love Him? Do we allow Him to transform us into the saints He desires us to become?
Mary can help us prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. By praying the Rosary and meditating on the Gospel mysteries contained within it, She teaches us to love Her Son and draws us closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is where She wants all of us to be – in the center of His Sacred Heart. Praise be Jesus. Now and forever.
