Homily (Reflection) for The
Annunciation of the Lord (Sol.) (4th April, 2016) on the Gospel and
the Solemnity
Is 7:10-14.8:10;
Ps 36:7-11 (R.vv.8.9);Heb 10:4-10;
Lk 1:26-38.
We celebrate “Mary’s acceptance of the role that God
has chosen for her in his plan of redemption[1].”
It is the celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary
that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, marking
his Incarnation. This took place “in the sixth month” of Elizabeth's pregnancy,
cf. Lk 1:36. In England, this came
to be known as Lady Day. It marked the New Year until 1752.[2]
Topic: Entirely God’s.
In today’s gospel, angel Gabriel was sent by God to Virgin
Mary. The angel said to her, “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” Mary
was much perplexed by these words. And the angel went further,
Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him
Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the
Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over
the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
Mary asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel
replied, “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 holy; he will be
called Son of God.” Mary immediately gave her acceptance speech: “Here am I,
the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
We see how willingly Mary accepted her role in God’s plan for
our redemption. She did not even ask for time either to think over it or to
consult anybody. We must remember that Mary could have said no but she willingly
said yes to the will of God. And it is on this single-minded yes of Mary hangs today’s
solemnity.
On our part, we are God’s “unworthy servants” (Lk 17:10). Consequently, we ought to accept
the will of God always willingly after the example of Mary. This world and the desire
for it that we sometimes cling to will surely pass away, but he who does the
will of God abides forever, cf. 1Jn 2:17.
Saint Peter rightly asks us “to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no
longer by human passions but by the will of God” (1Pt 4:2). And one needs endurance to do this, cf. Heb 10:36. Finally, accepting the will of
God does not make one lesser but greater, cf. Prov 11:24.
Bible Reading: Rom 12:1-2; 1Thess
4:1-12.
Thought for today: Mary is the mother of our Saviour.
Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace to appreciate
your Son and Mary who willingly accepted to be His mother – Amen.
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[1] The Weekday Missal: A new edition
(1995). London: HarperCollins Religious, p. 1454.
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