Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Carrying Christ’s Light into the World
December 9, 2024 | Amber Herkey | Today’s Readings
Last year, I became a mother. Holding my child, I was struck by the miracle of new life — a living testament to hope. In this new chapter of motherhood, I began to see that miracle in everyone I met, especially in those most forgotten. I saw it in the faces of strangers, but most profoundly in a young man named Dashaun.
Dashaun was homeless, often struggling to find food and shelter. Each time I saw him during my daughter’s early months, I couldn’t help but think of the joy his mother must have felt when he was born — a precious child, full of promise. Yet, when I saw him on the streets, I saw the painful contrast: a life once full of hope now reduced to survival in harsh conditions.
Dashaun’s story, like so many who endure the dehumanizing effects of poverty, is a painful reminder of how society easily forgets the dignity of those once cherished. Born with the same potential as anyone, too many are pushed to the margins, treated with disdain, or discarded entirely. The transformation is heartbreaking: from being loved and protected to being abandoned, stripped of their humanity.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception reminds us of God’s ability to bring healing and transformation, even in the darkest places. The story of Mary’s conception without sin is not just about purity, but about God’s redeeming grace, offering new beginnings for all of us — especially for those harmed by systems that fail to honor human dignity.
The Gospel reading for today, from Luke, tells of the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she is “full of grace,” chosen to bear the Son of God. At first, Mary is troubled and wonders how this could be possible, but in her humble response — “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord” — she surrenders entirely to God’s will. Her openness shows us a model of trust, grace, and obedience, inviting us to say “yes” to God’s call in our own lives.
In this season of Advent, we are reminded not only of Mary’s unique role in salvation but of our invitation to open ourselves to God’s grace. Just as Mary bore Christ into the world, we too are called to bear witness to justice, healing, and hope in a world that desperately needs it. Pope Francis, as we enter the Jubilee Year of 2025, calls us to be “Pilgrims of Hope,” walking together in faith and working toward healing and justice, especially for those like Dashaun who suffer from systemic injustice.
We are called to become instruments of God’s grace, to confront the injustices of our time, and to shine a light of hope into the lives of those most affected by dehumanizing systems. Just as Mary bore Christ, we too are called to carry His light into the world — especially to those who are forgotten.
The Immaculate Conception is not just about Mary’s sinlessness; it celebrates God’s transformative power, which can redeem even the most broken lives. As we await Christ’s coming, let us reflect on how we, as “pilgrims of hope,” are called to be instruments of healing, justice, and reconciliation. May we, like Mary, say “yes” with courage and humility, trusting that nothing is impossible for God.
Reflection Author: Amber Herkey
Amber Herkey is an academic advancement assistant director at the University of Notre Dame, where she helps advance development priorities and achieve fundraising goals as part of the For Good Initiative.
Amber’s background spans social justice and education. She has taught social justice in North Carolina, advocated for underserved youth through the YMCA of Michiana, and promoted inclusive programming with Play Like a Champion Today. She also spent three years traveling to 12 countries as the production manager for L’Arche International’s As I Am docu-series, highlighting the dignity of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Most recently, she led initiatives in the Institute for Social Concerns’ Justice Education program, focusing on community health and restorative justice.
For over a decade, Amber has been dedicated to amplifying the voices of those who face social exclusion. She grew up in Los Angeles, California, and now lives in South Bend, Indiana with her husband and daughter.