The Immaculate Conception

Bartolome Esteban Perez Murillo

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on the Catholic Liturgical Calendar.

A lot of people, Catholics among them, wrongly believe that that term applies to the conception of Jesus Christ in the womb of Mary. There are two really good sources linked above that explain the whole doctrine and apply it to Scripture and Tradition.

One explanation I heard a long time ago — from a Jewish man who converted to the Catholic faith and celebrates both now in fullness — stayed with me. Remember the story in the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) of the journey of the Ark of the Covenant, carried by Levitical priests? No man could lay hands on the Ark, it was so holy. When the road got rough and the Ark appeared to be falling, a guard hurried to steady it, and was struck dead.

So how much more sacred must the ‘Ark of the New Covenant’ be? That’s one of the titles for Mary, who carried the “blood of the new and everlasting covenant” in her womb.

And speaking of that, this weekend would be a great time to see The Nativity Story.