I am the handmaid of the Lord

Gospel
Luke 1:26–38
Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.

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
The reading on the immaculate conception is one of the most beautiful reading on God's willingness to come down to earth to save mankind and the willingness of a young lady to become the mother of God . Behold the handmaid of the lord be it done to me according to your word. Those words indicate total surrender to God.

Let us pray
Lord Jesus our Mother Mary made a powerful statement on total surrender. Grant we pray we too will be ready to surrender ourself completely as we continue on this journey of faith.

Amen

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