On the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the Church celebrates the greatest event in the history of humankind, the Incarnation of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Feast of the Annunciation was celebrated as far back as the 4th or 5th century. The Annunciation is narrated in the Bible in Luke Chapter 1, verses 26-38. The angel Gabriel was sent to meet Mary, a virgin, in Nazareth, Galilee. We relive the significance of this beautiful event, one of the most important mysteries of our faith, each time we recite the Angelus. It is a joint feast of Our Lord and Our Lady, as Pope Paul VI says, the feast of the "Word who becomes Son of Mary, and of the Virgin who becomes Mother of God."
The Annunciation brings into focus the fulfillment of a dual vocation. The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity had a very specific purpose in becoming man, a vocation, namely, to free human beings for eternity from the ravages of sin and death. In consenting to God's plan for bringing about this reality, Mary assented to fulfilling her own vocation. Mary bows down before this sovereign will and says to the heavenly messenger: 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word.' This act is deeply rooted in a personal choice and decision; however, it is essentially preceded by another choice, a choice on the part of God. As Christ himself asserts, "You did not choose me, but I chose you. And appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last" (Jn 15:16). The young Virgin of Nazareth teaches us how to live our Christian life. We must also say " Yes " and believe that "nothing is impossible with God."
Prayer:
Ever-blessed Virgin, obtain for us the grace to imitate closely those virtues you practiced so faithfully, especially humility, purity, and obedience. Mother of Mercy, pray for us that we say yes to the will of God in our daily lives.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
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