A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her."
REFLECTION: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Fiat--Be it done!!
And God became man!
This young teenager does not anticipate the coming of the Archangel. She most likely did not realize she had favor with the Lord. So she was surprised and afraid but the Spirit was in her. She pondered.
In yesterday's Gospel reading, Zechariah was given a message regarding the birth of John the Baptist. However, Zechariah was still in his past --being old, no children, no heir --he had given up hope of ever having a child. He actually was still clinging on to the pain of being barren. And so he questioned the Archangel Gabriel, not as a how can I help, but how can it be, I am so old?
Mary's fiat was more of cooperation or collaboration--How will this be accomplished, I have no relations with a man?
Have we a hope we are clinging to? A solution to a rocky marriage? A child who has lost his way? Children who have left the faith? Do we react by losing hope or do we look to God and cling to faith for the healing or the conversion? Are we listening to God when He inspires us to fast, inspires us to go to Mass, or recite a daily rosary or the BJ prayer?
May we say "yes" to God in all our trials, all our dreams, hopes and disappointments. The Annunciation was the first joy of Mary and it becomes ours. There was no other motive for the Incarnation than the salvation of man. The bond of grace between God and His people has started.
God Bless You
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