The sinfulness of the world

can make us very depressed, especially as we perceive that sinfulness in ourselves, in what we have done, and in what we have failed to do.

Today’s readings, however, remind us that no matter how deep or far back our human sinfulness goes (even to the beginnings of humanity), God’s salvific will goes even further (“before the foundation of the world”) and can bring us to be “holy and without blameless in his sight” so that, like Mary, we can say,

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
Let it be done to me according to your word."