Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Today's Mass Readings

The Beatles may not seem a source of spiritual wisdom, yet today’s feast recalls “Let it Be.” Mary’s prayer from today’s gospel “Let it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Indeed, all of today’s readings very clearly call us to live obediently the will of God. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah tells the House of David that the Lord will give you a sign. A virgin will conceive and bear a son. This son shall be named “Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us!’ ” (Is 8:10) And so as the prophet foretold, a virgin named Mary, was overshadowed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and conceived a son. This son was God incarnate, Jesus. Mary was betrothed to Joseph who was from the house of David.

As Paul teaches in the letter to the Hebrews, sacrifices of animals does not take away sins. Paul is trying to make clear to this community that God does not want offerings to make up for our sins. God wants us to do God’s will.

The gospel of Luke describes Mary as being visited by the angel Gabriel. His greeting, now a prayer we are familiar with was “Hail, full of Grace! The Lord is with you.” This troubled Mary greatly. Gabriel sensed her fear and calmed her. He explained to Mary that she was to bring a child into the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary’s response is one of the most compelling responses to God in all of Scripture. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary’s ‘Fiat’ was an unconditional acceptance of the Lord’s will for her.

What are the tough things the Lord has been asking of you? How are you being called to die to your own will and rise to new life by giving our life completely to God’s will?

As we reflect upon the way God is calling, let us pray for the strength to say yes to the Lord’s plan for us. Lord, in our daily struggles, please help us be like Mary and recall the words from today’s psalm. “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. (Ps 40:8a & 9a) Amen.

-Michael Montgomery