Reflection: The Annunciation of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Annunciation of the Lord. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her that she had been chosen by God to be the Mother of the Son of God, the Mother of the Savior of the world.

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."  Luke 1:30-33

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.  Luke 1:36-37

The angel Gabriel gave Mary two personal messages to encourage and strengthen her.

"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God"  
"For nothing will be impossible for God." 

The blessings of these messages strengthened Mary for the rest of her life, especially during times of sorrow and trial. Then the angel Gabriel revealed to Mary the pregnancy of Elizabeth. Both woman would bear a child through Divine Intervention. This represents the first and second Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, the Annunciation and the Visitation. Remember that the Angel Gabriel told Mary to be unafraid. Bring your fears to God and say yes to Him, knowing that all things are possible for Him.

Mary responded with her FIAT, her Yes to God:

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38

Mary trusted God.
  
When you think of Mary, call upon her:
O Mary, my Mother, come and help me to trust God the way you did. Every time I pray the Hail Mary, I call upon your assistance. Mary, I want to greet you the way the Angel Gabriel greeted you. Help me to be unafraid and to trust God the way you trust Him.

God created us because us and wants us to live with Him eternally. He places the highest value on human life. He loves us so much that he became one of us, took on our human nature and became an innocent, completely dependent infant.

When we repeat the words of the angel by praying the Hail Mary, the Word of God dwells among us. Through Mary's humble, obedient Fiat, heaven and earth meet.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee...