Divine Reading for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We begin our prayer:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray, that, as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Reading (Lectio)
Read the following Scripture two or three times.

Luke 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you
shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Meditation
After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on one or more of the following questions:
• What word or words in this passage caught your attention?
• What in this passage comforted you?
• What in this passage challenged you?

Prayer
Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that the Word inspires in you.

Contemplation
reflection:
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” When have I felt the grace and favor of God most strongly?

How can I become more attuned to the gift of God’s grace in my life?
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

When have I felt anxious or unsure about my faith? How can the Church and her perennial teaching strengthen and

confirm my faith?
Do not be afraid. What fears keep me from serving God more wholeheartedly? How can I offer comfort and assurance to those around me?
After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion, all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following:
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion, all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following:

Closing Prayer:
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

From Psalm 98
Living the Word This Week
How can I make my life a gift for others in charity?
Pray a Rosary for those in the Church who are called to teach and strengthen the faith.