The Light of the Immaculate Conception.
“A great sign appeared in the sky.” - Revelation 12
Blessed Jacinta Marto of Fatima considered the moon as Our Lady’s lamp, while understanding the sun to be our Lord’s lamp. We know of course that the moon reflects the light of the sun, just as Our Lady reflects the light of her Son, Jesus Christ. In her simplicity, Jacinta understood Mariology as well as any theologian.
The Blessed Virgin does indeed illumine the souls of those who have recourse to her in the night of faith, just as the moon will illumine the nighttime landscape for the wanderer. To have recourse to Our Lady doesn’t mean we need to perform elaborate devotions, repeat a multitude of prayers, and so on. We can approach her very simply speaking to her from our heart.
When we need words, we can use those she gave us, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!” When we don’t know what to ask for, we may pray these words, or those of the angel Gabriel, with the heartfelt petition that she grant us the graces we do not even know to ask for. As our Mother and Mediatrix, it is in her power to grant her children whatever grace they need.
Sometimes, the grace Our Lady grants is simply the light to see and understand our sins and imperfections, as well as the grace to repent and ask pardon for them.
December 8th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Yes, Our Lady’s words. And then to Bernadette she said, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”
December 8th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Yes, yes, yes, and yes!! So well said.
We were just subjected to “We are the Light of the World” and I remarked to my DH after Mass that only Jesus is the light of the world. All we can do is reflect that light just as Mary does.
December 9th, 2007 at 4:05 am
Hope my little Jacinta remains close to Our blessed Mother…