Annunciation of the Lord

Ish 7:10-14.8:10, Heb. 10:4-10, Lk. 1:26-38. We celebrate the Annunciation to Mary and the start of her Divine pregnancy, nine months before December 25th, in order to place Christ’s conception exactly nine months before His birth. This year March 25th was Monday of Holy week, so the feast was postponed until after the Easter Octave celebrations. Today’s readings point to the importance of the Solemnity. In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah projects a young woman who will conceive a son who will be called Immanuel, “God with us.” Today, as a Church we remember how the joyful promise of her conceiving the Messiah was announced to Mary, at her home in Nazareth. The Lord sent Angel Gabriel, whose name means “Power of God,” with a message that would launch a new Covenant between our Maker and mankind, based on the union of the Divine and human in the person of Jesus Christ.

Mary knew that she has lived chastely, so she asked the puzzled question: “How shall this be, since I am a virgin?” She wants to love God above all things and had chosen virginity before marriage as the way to live so as to please God. The Angel promised, that “the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” This is the key that allows Mary to understand that the all-powerful love of God will make her the Mother of the Messiah and yet preserve her spirit of virginal chastity. Today, we celebrate not only her belief and obedience, but the shining grace of God that makes her mother to all. There are some specific details in today’s Gospel: Galilee, Nazareth, Joseph of the house of David, Mary. At the annunciation, God’s call met with the complete human response, “Let what you have said be done to me.” Because of her exemplary response to God, Mary became a source of blessing for all of humanity. If we can enter in some way into her response to God’s call, we will also be a source of blessing for others.

May the Lord protect us from evil and grant us His saving help! Amen!! Good morning and have a fruitful week!!!