Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Lk 1:26–38
March 25, 2022 | Friday

Today’s Gospel

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a virgin, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

The angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.

But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great, and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and his reign shall have no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born of you shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child; and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible.”

Then Mary said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.

Today’s Reflection:

The Annunciation reveals a side of God, who in His omnipotence, still patiently prepares and waits for the unfolding of a young woman, to make her deliberate response to His request to become the mother of the Messiah. In fact, this event can be called more “The Consultation for Participation” than an annunciation from God’s part. On Mary’s part, despite its risks of ruining her life and reputation, God’s invitation was responded with a wholehearted fiat, which serves as the model and humanity’s highest “yes” to God.

God can instantly redeem us by His own power alone. But He patiently provides us with opportunities to participate in His salvific plans for us to rightfully develop some sense of ownership and share of His glory. We may not be able to give full participation as Mary did, but every sincere yes that we give to God are our little contributions for Christ to be felt more concretely in this world. /Vulnerasti, 2022