Announcement of the Birth of Jesus

Today's Reflections

Announcement of the Birth of Jesus

Lk 1:26-38

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.

Reflection:
 

HAIL, FAVORED ONE! The solemnity of the Lord’s annunciation celebrates the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary. The annunciation is God’s free choice to make Mary the mother of his Son Jesus. God’s choice makes Mary a favored one, gifted and graced. God’s choice is not a reward for her exemplary life, dedicated work, or fervent prayer. It is the result of God’s free will to choose and favor. God graces Mary for a noble mission—to be part of God’s plan to give Jesus to the world.

The annunciation also presents what God does through Mary. Mary places her whole being at God’s service, giving her total cooperation. She declares, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

God has many beautiful plans and interesting tasks for us. He has chosen us and gifted us to accomplish them. Let us place ourselves at God’s disposal. Like Mary, let us give our full cooperation and unconditional collaboration.

Pray the Angelus more meaningfully today.