Today we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. As we hear in today’s Gospel the angel Gabriel greets Mary with the words “Hail Mary and then announces to her, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” The angel Gabriel also announces the mission and identity of this child: “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.” Later in the Gospel we will hear that Jesus is a light to the Gentiles, and glory to the people Israel:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32).
The angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus, the one who is to be the Savior of the world.
Mary’s response to this annunciation is simple but also profound. She declares, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary declares she is a true servant of the Lord, one who puts God’s will and way before all else, even before her own will and understanding. Mary trusts the words of the angel that “nothing will be impossible for God.” Later in the Gospel when Jesus is told that his mother and brothers is outside waiting to see him, he replies: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (Luke 8:21). Mary is Jesus’ mother in a twofold way: 1) she is Jesus’ physical mother, and 2) she is the servant of the Lord who has heard God’s word and acted on.
Today as we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation, we hear the same proclamation that Jesus has come into our world as our savior. Jesus comes to show us the light of God’s glorious presence. This light shines forth not only the extraordinary but also in the mundane experiences of our daily life. Since God “walks with us on the journey of our life” we are invited and challenged by Mary’s yes and to declare with her: “Behold, we are servants of the Lord. Be it done to us according to God’s Word. Hail Mary, guide us this day.”
Image: “No_17. Mother Mary (The Sweetkissing) and Jesus Christ on the right 45×56″ by LeonidasGR is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.