“It is a sweet and pious belief that the infusion of Mary’s soul was effected without original sin; so that in the very infusion of her soul, she was also purified from original sin and adorned with God’s gifts, receiving a pure soul infused by God; thus from the first moment she began to live she was free from all sin” Martin Luther, 15271
You might not know it but today is the day our Catholic friends observe the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception - the day to remember the sinless birth of the blessed virgin Mary. Does it surprise you to read that Martin Lutheran also believed that by God’s grace, Mary was born sinless? Though we might differ in some beliefs from our Catholic brothers in the particulars regarding Mary, this is an area where we can agree.
Too often Mary is given less than her deserved honor within what is called the “Protestant churches” or “Protestanism” - basically any Christian community other than Roman Catholic. This is truly sad.
So today, please remember the blessed virgin. We do not believe her to be divine, a mediator between us and Christ, and certainly not “co-redemtrix” as some might see her. Rather she is our example of faith, love, service, and submission to the will of God - even when the cost to ourselves is immense. She gave her “Yes” to God when most of us - probably all of us - would have said “No.”
Prayer: Lord God, I give you thanks for looking upon a simple peasant girl and choosing her to be the bearer of the Christ who came to redeem me and the entire world. May the blessed Virgin be an example to me of your divine favor and may she be an example to me in answering your call. May she be a reminder to me of faithfulness and how you can use all people for your good will. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Sermon: "On the Day of the Conception of the Mother of God," 1527.