# Say “Yes” to God: Opening Our Hearts on the Immaculate Conception
*2015-12-08*

> Bill Young reflects on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, shares a personal story about a treasured Bible, and invites listeners to answer God’s call with a heartfelt “yes.”

## Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Good afternoon, this is Bill Young and welcome to the Prayer at Lunch podcast. Today is Tuesday, the second week of Advent, and we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture reading for today is Luke 1:38, where Mary responds, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

## A Personal Encounter with a Marked Bible

I want to share a story that has stayed with me for years. My aunt, Sister Mary Teresa, gave me a Bible about 22 years ago, shortly before she passed away. Several years later, while looking for another book a friend had given me, I found that same Bible wrapped in construction paper. Inside, a small mark highlighted the passage where Mary says “yes” to God. It turned out that the marked reading was for the very day I was holding the Bible—just a week before Christmas. It reminded me that God knows the exact moment we need His grace, even down to the hairs on our heads.

## Pope Francis and the Year of Mercy

This year, Pope Francis has declared a Year of Mercy, beginning today. In response, I’m launching a new podcast series called “The Hour of Mercy,” which will air at 3 p.m. each day to reflect on the Pope’s teachings and the mercy of God.

## Opening Our Hearts to God

Our reading today comes from the devotional book *Opening Our Hearts to God: Praying Through Advent with Pope Francis*. The passage from Luke 1:38 invites us to imitate Mary’s humility: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Let us pray: “Mary, Virgin and Mother, you who, moved by the Holy Spirit, welcomed the Word of Life in the depths of your humble faith, help us to say our own ‘yes’ to the urgent call to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. Amen.”

*May we, like Mary, answer God’s invitation with a wholehearted “yes.”*