Monday, October 7 : Saint Ivo of Chartres

Today we celebrate the wonderful conception of Jesus by the Virgin. We celebrate the beginning of our redemption and proclaim God’s plan, designed with goodness and power. For if the Lord of the whole world had come looking for his fleeing servants to judge them rather than show them his goodness, he would never have put on this frail covering of clay (Gn 2,7) in which he could suffer with us and for us. To borrow Paul’s words, this would seem to the gentiles to be both weakness and folly (1Cor 1,23,25) because they base their arguments on empty philosophy and form judgements about the Creator according to the laws of creation. Is there a greater act of power than causing the Virgin to conceive contrary to the laws of nature? And, after taking our flesh, to bring mortal nature back to the glory of immortality by passing through death? That is why the apostle says: «The weakness of God is stronger than human strength» (v.25)… Today the Virgin’s womb becomes the gate of heaven through which God comes down to us to bring us up to heaven.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team