Immaculate Conception

[Neil_Anthony]

Since God was able to make Mary be conceived without original sin, in anticipation of Christ’s redemption, why wouldn’t or couldn’t God do that for each one of us?

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Since God was able to make Mary be conceived without original sin, in anticipation of Christ’s redemption, why wouldn’t or couldn’t God do that for each one of us?

Well, God created Adam and Eve without original sin. Didn’t stop them from sinning though.

And Mary was not conceived without sin solely 'in anticipation of Christ’s redemption. She was also conceived without sin because she was (like the Ark of the Covenant) to carry the Holy of Holies (Christ). Remember too that while it is Catholic teaching that Mary (unlike Eve) remained without sin, it wasn’t a guarantee. She could have chosen sin at any point but she didn’t.

Christ did redeem us but He redeemed us because we NEEDED redemption. (I mean, if we were already righteous and sinless, would we need redemption? No. If Adam and Eve hadn’t sinned, they’d still be in the Garden of Eden.)

So the ‘anticipation of redemption’ theory doesn’t really fit, you know? Plus, think about it. Adam and Eve were created sinless. . .with huge graces by that virtue. Their sin was HUGE. Now imagine billions of people on earth, all created sinless. . .and since the spoiling of something ‘good’ is a greater spoiling if the original good is something quite wonderful, imagine how terrible the sin would be from these ‘good’ people if they fell into sin. We think WE have seen horrible sin in our world. . .but we kind of ‘expect’ sinful behavior. If we were created sinless, we’d ‘expect’ good behavior and be constantly upset and depressed with each awful sin we saw. We’d be desparing.

Some thoughts anyway.

 

[JohnDamian]

Mary required redemption; but it was brought about through the merits of Jesus Crucifixion that Mary was conceived from the first moment without original sin. This is because it was both fitting and possible for God to do this; as Mary would be the vessel for Christ.

Yet; it is possible for God to have done this for all of us; but he has not done so; because it is not fitting – we are by nature individuals who through original sin are free from God; and may choose to become united with him; but even as our Sins are washed away in Baptism; we are left with the concupiscence; and the suffering and death that will eventually bring us to eternal life. It is through this that we are more fully free to give volition or nolotion to the gifts of God through the sacraments; as we choose to make a perfect contrition through the hatred of our sin; rather than the fear of our demises; – were it the case that we were unstained; we could not hate our sin; for we would not have it or the inclination to it for to hate; and thus a perfect contrition in all its goodness be unnattainable.

 

[Cat_Herder]

Since God was able to make Mary be conceived without original sin, in anticipation of Christ’s redemption, why wouldn’t or couldn’t God do that for each one of us?

Because God had planned all along to redeem man by providing His Son as a pure offering, and if everyone was immaculately conceived there would be no need for a Savior.* Without original sin there would not have been Calvary, and without Jesus, the world would be VERY different. Look at Islam if you want to see Christianity without the doctrines of original sin and without a Redeemer.

• Mary was immaculate only by virtue of her Son’s future offering. It’s all about Jesus.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

Thanks to everyone who responded: those answers help a lot!

It is through this that we are more fully free to give volition or nolotion to the gifts of God through the sacraments; as we choose to make a perfect contrition through the hatred of our sin; rather than the fear of our demises; – were it the case that we were unstained; we could not hate our sin; for we would not have it or the inclination to it for to hate; and thus a perfect contrition in all its goodness be unnattainable.

Wow, is that ever neat, and true!

 

[The_Exodus]

Mary required redemption; but it was brought about through the merits of Jesus Crucifixion that Mary was conceived from the first moment without original sin. This is because it was both fitting and possible for God to do this; as Mary would be the vessel for Christ.

Yet; it is possible for God to have done this for all of us; but he has not done so; because it is not fitting – we are by nature individuals who through original sin are free from God; and may choose to become united with him; but even as our Sins are washed away in Baptism; we are left with the concupiscence; and the suffering and death that will eventually bring us to eternal life. It is through this that we are more fully free to give volition or nolotion to the gifts of God through the sacraments; as we choose to make a perfect contrition through the hatred of our sin; rather than the fear of our demises; – were it the case that we were unstained; we could not hate our sin; for we would not have it or the inclination to it for to hate; and thus a perfect contrition in all its goodness be unnattainable.

This reminds me of Aquinas in the Summa, on whether the justification of the ungodly is God’s greatest act, he answers yes, and that, to make a righteous man from a sinner is greater than to create heaven and earth. It shows more fully the infinite power and mercy of God, not to create a universe of perfectly obedient creatures, but to create one in which many, deserving of eternal separation, are made instead his children forever.