Pure as the Driven Snow

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

To begin with, today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which commemorates the fact that the Blessed Virgin Mary was born without sin. To paraphrase St. John Chrysostom, we shouldn’t spend too much time thinking about this, as it defies nature and logic, and is obviously a supernatural gift from the Lord God Himself.

Rather, it is a fact which should bring us to quietness, pondering the mystery. Preserved from the stain of sin from the moment of her conception, Mary has been described at times as being pure as the driven snow.

Which brings us to today, which was one of those very rare snowy days in Louisiana.

snowy day

We are about as geared to snow as New York is geared to hurricanes.

And so many people have said – we never see snow like this!

This is kinda nuts for here.

 

But it happens, and it’s beautiful.

Just like the Immaculate Conception happened, and it’s much more beautiful.

I know. But it’s been a long day.

And so, from our little town, a glimpse into our Feast Day here – filled with Masses, Holy Hours, beautiful meals with friends, smoked turkeys, French Onion soup, fires, Rosaries…   Blessed Feast Day.

The Rev. Kenneth Allen