Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
Hebrews 10:4-10
Luke 1:26-38
The Plan of God & The Consent of Virgin Mary
We celebrate today The Solemnity of Annunciation of the Lord in this time of Lent, preparing for the Lord's death and Resurrection which bestow upon the salvation of our souls. It is in fact good to be reminded of the beginnings of the coming of the Savior. We are in a time of fear, uncertainty and darkness as regards our lives but with prayer, fasting and almsgiving we are preparing for the Joy of Resurrection and Transformation of our lives. This feast reminds us that we need not live in sorrow and emptiness because God has initiated the definite path of salvation through the plan of sending Jesus Christ. This is what we celebrate today, the concrete beginnings of the Salvation of Humanity.
First Reading:
In the first reading, the King Ahaz has found favour with God. The King was offered a sign by God but he refused to test God. This shows the trust the king has towards God. he did not need proof of belief. That was the reason he found favour with God. then God himself decided to give a sign, a sign so significant to not only to the king but also to the whole of humanity. The sign was:'' the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son,and shall name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us!" The text is traditionally considered as the prophecy of the birth of Christ. This has come true in today’s Gospel.
Gospel :
In the Gospel, Mary perfectly fits the prophecy of Isaih in the first reading. She has also found favour with God. the Angel Gabriel entered the house and greeted with the words of God "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." This denotes the singular privilege before God, her special dignity and honour. She was brought up in faith and obedience towards God’s commandments. And later in the conversation also it is very clear to us of her faith, obedience and humble nature. That’s why she has found favour with God.
Rejoice in the midst of Fear:
She was the first one to announce the plan of God, that is to dwell among us and save humanity. When she heard it naturally she was troubled but was told not to be afraid. We can see that at the end of the conversation with the Angel Mary was moved from fear to acceptance of God’s will. She has accepted God's word, will to bear in her womb. This indeed calls for rejoicing for it is a wonderful moment not only to Mary but for all of us, because God is with us alway but now through this annunciation is going with us in concrete human form through Mary.
We are also in the midst of fears, struggles, poverty, sickness, insecurities, and doubts but God says to us not to be afraid for He is with us.
It also reminds us that :
The definitive promise of God’s plan to salvation and establishment of His kingdom
The definitive “Yes'' of Virgin Mary to the plan of the Father. (We are reminded here of her humility, obedience, docility and Motherhood of God and Man)
With this single “Yes” God was physically united with humanity and the time of definitive salvation has begun. This was free, loving, humble and obedient consent / Yes to God.
The definitive beginning of God’s plan of salvation (God’s appointed time)
This is what we are going to celebrate this Lenten and Easter seasons.as it is said in the second reading in Hebrews, that Jesus came to do the will of the Father not to sacrifice animals for the atonement of the sins but to offer Himself once and for all.
As we celebrate this glorious solemnity, calls for our faith that it must be celebrated, lived and rejoice then we will find favour with God. Oftentimes we strive for God’s favours and signs for our belief. We are invited today to remain and listen to the word of God like Mary and king Ahaz. The holy men and women in today’s readings as well as in the scriptures in any given situation listened to God’s word and followed His will. That’s why they blessed abundantly.
The feast of annunciation invites us to not only listen but saying “Yes” like Mary freely, humbly, obediently and with faith to the will of the Lord in our everyday activities because of which we can today continue to bring forth and manifest Jesus through us to the world. We struggle in our lives to say Yes to God’s call to listen, believe and obey. Let us offer ourselves and pray for God’s grace.
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)
“Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will” (Psalm 40:9)
Fr. Jayaraju Manthena OCD
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