Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Anna Dokolasa RIP (OL)
Reflection:
These past few days, our Gospel readings showed peoples’ response to Jesus. Some rejected and persecuted Him while others believed Him. As for those who believed Him, He challenged them to be His authentic followers. Unfortunately, there were those who believed Christ for the wrong reasons. Some even wanted to make Him king because of the multiplication of the loaves (John 6:14-15). At the height of the Lord’s Passion, the true character of these believers would be unmasked: some of His apostles will betray Him and the crowd will shout for His crucifixion.
There is, however, a believer that stands out. It is Mary, Jesus’ Mother. When the angel of the Lord appeared, Mary did not have a complete idea of what would become of her. And yet, she believed what the angel told her: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Perhaps she kept pondering on these words on the many instances of her life with Jesus: when she gave birth to Him in a stable, when Joseph brought her and the Child to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath, when she lost Jesus for three days in the Temple. As she kept these events in her heart, she continued to say “Yes” to God, regardless of the trials and sacrifices that would happen to her and her Son. Her openness and humility were stretched and challenged as she wept underneath the cross where a new “annunciation” takes place. Christ tells her “Woman, here is your son” (John 19:26). Though no word of Mary was recorded, I am sure she would have said “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
- “[F]or nothing will be impossible for God.” (Archangel Gabriel). What do these words mean to you?
- How far would you go to do God’s will?
- How can Mary lead you back to Jesus this Lent?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word. Through the prayers and example of Our Lady, transform us into a people willing to answer Your call. Let our response be also “May it be done to me according to your word.” Amen.
Suggested Lenten penance: Pray the rosary with the intention to renew your Marian devotion.
(Pietro)
