Lk 1:26-38
Announcement of the Birth of Jesus
26The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32He 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, 33and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35And 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. 36And 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; 37for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38Mary 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.
HANDMAID OF THE LORD
If you have any experience of motherhood, you know that it takes a lot of faith. In many ways, it’s something beyond your control. Suddenly you have a new life inside you. You do your best to nurture that life, but you don’t know how everything is going to turn out. You do everything you can to ensure that your child will be loved and supported. Still you have to trust God for the big picture.
As we honor Mary today, let’s remember the deep and trusting faith she had. She didn’t comprehend how she could give birth to the Messiah, but she still said “yes” to God’s plan. She was told she would suffer greatly because of her child, but she still obeyed. She faithfully took care of Jesus, endured his crucifixion and death, and stayed true to him until the end.
Mary has many things to teach us. Like her, we are called to bring Jesus into this world; like her, we too will suffer. When we face challenges and temptations, we can be tempted to forget about our walk with the Lord and just go with the flow. Or we can do as Mary did and proclaim God’s greatness, recognizing that he will look after us if we remain open to the word. “The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.” (Luke 1:53).
Mary is more than just an idealistic example of perfect faith. She is a mother, and she wants nothing more than to bring us to her son, Jesus. Quite simply, she loves us! St. John Vianney tells us, “Mary’s heart is so loving toward us that the hearts of all mothers taken together are but a piece of ice in comparison.” We can go to her, not just for our needs but to ask her help in growing closer to the Lord. In the prayers of the rosary we say to her, “The Lord is with you!” Let’s not forget Mary, who is a privileged “insider” in the heavenly court, and who is already praying for each and every one of us!
“Lord, thank you for your Blessed Mother! May I imitate her virtues and call upon her to help me walk with you! Amen.
26The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32He 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, 33and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35And 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. 36And 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; 37for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38Mary 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.
HANDMAID OF THE LORD
If you have any experience of motherhood, you know that it takes a lot of faith. In many ways, it’s something beyond your control. Suddenly you have a new life inside you. You do your best to nurture that life, but you don’t know how everything is going to turn out. You do everything you can to ensure that your child will be loved and supported. Still you have to trust God for the big picture.
As we honor Mary today, let’s remember the deep and trusting faith she had. She didn’t comprehend how she could give birth to the Messiah, but she still said “yes” to God’s plan. She was told she would suffer greatly because of her child, but she still obeyed. She faithfully took care of Jesus, endured his crucifixion and death, and stayed true to him until the end.
Mary has many things to teach us. Like her, we are called to bring Jesus into this world; like her, we too will suffer. When we face challenges and temptations, we can be tempted to forget about our walk with the Lord and just go with the flow. Or we can do as Mary did and proclaim God’s greatness, recognizing that he will look after us if we remain open to the word. “The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.” (Luke 1:53).
Mary is more than just an idealistic example of perfect faith. She is a mother, and she wants nothing more than to bring us to her son, Jesus. Quite simply, she loves us! St. John Vianney tells us, “Mary’s heart is so loving toward us that the hearts of all mothers taken together are but a piece of ice in comparison.” We can go to her, not just for our needs but to ask her help in growing closer to the Lord. In the prayers of the rosary we say to her, “The Lord is with you!” Let’s not forget Mary, who is a privileged “insider” in the heavenly court, and who is already praying for each and every one of us!
“Lord, thank you for your Blessed Mother! May I imitate her virtues and call upon her to help me walk with you! Amen.
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