Gospel
Luke 1:26-38
'I am the handmaid of the Lord'
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
Reflection
The Annunciation is a significant event in Christian theology and history because it is the announcement made by the angel Gabriel to Mary, a young Jewish girl in Nazareth, that she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit and give birth to Jesus, the Son of God.
The Annunciation marks the beginning of the Incarnation, the belief that Jesus is both fully God and fully human. It is a pivotal moment in salvation history because it reveals God's plan for humanity's redemption through the birth of his Son.The event is also significant because Mary's response to the angel's announcement demonstrates her humility, faith, and obedience to God. Her "yes" to God's plan, often referred to as her fiat, serves as an example for all Christians to follow.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus behold I am merely your servant. Let me act according to your word.
Amen
Comments
Post a Comment