+ We pause today in our Lenten observance to
celebrate the great Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. On this day we recall the event of the
Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to a humble maiden of Nazareth named Mary.
God has prepared a worthy, and sinless dwelling place to first receive his Word-made-flesh: the womb of this humble
virgin. But the freedom of the virgin was to be preserved, and so the dialogue
between the Archangel Gabriel and Mary causes the overshadowing power of the
Holy Spirit to come upon Mary, who freely declares herself a humble handmaid of the Lord, ready to do his bidding according to
his plan and design.
And so, Jesus began to exist
in her womb: the very God of gods was now living in a loving, protective and
nurturing environment: and she would love, protect and nurture him his whole
life long – until it ended, as it was foretold, in a tragic death on a hill
outside Jerusalem. But again it would include a resurrected presence of Jesus
later on, in which she always hoped and prayed for. This whole astounding process was done for
love, for love of us, all humans who ever lived: to save us from our
thoughtless, selfish, sinful selves, to restore our broken friendship with God,
and be the source of our eternal life in heaven.
When we appreciate the
humility and cooperation of the Virgin, when we understand the amazing love of
the Father, and love of the Savior, we are moved to live out in our own lives
our baptismal call to be holy and sinless and happy and helpful people – for
these are all possible now, thanks to the simple: “Fiat” “Yes,” “let it be done
to me according to your word,” of the Blessed Mother of God!
Here I
am, Lord; I come to do your will.
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