Solemnity of the Annunciation
3-25-2020 Daily Gospel Reflection
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.
Dear Friends,
I have always admired the courage of this young woman, Mary. An Angel visits her and she is not afraid. She is invited to be the Mother of God, which sounds like a large task, and she asks a simple question for clarity. Then she humbly responds with, “I am the handmaid of the Lord.” Her profound acceptance of God’s will for her life is inspiring. Talk about a courageous act! Her, “Yes” allows Jesus to come into the world and His, “Yes” to God’s will save all of us. We are living in uncertain times. We have many questions that will be answered as time unfolds. This is a time for us to demonstrate a humble faith like Mary did. Trusting that God has a plan that will build his Kingdom and save our souls. That trust, that humble acceptance can bring us great peace because we know that whatever comes our way will bring Glory to God. Mary’s final line to the angel Gabriel, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” is a challenge to us to study his word and let it transform us. Because his word is life, and we have nothing to fear in the life that God offers each one of us. So let us humbly pray, fast and give alms so that life that God has given us will continue to grow and bring Glory to God.
