31 Mar
Mon
Annunciation of the Lord
Is. 7:10-14; 8:10
Ps. 39:7-8,8-9,10,11
Heb. 10:4-10
Lk. 1:26-38
(Psalter proper)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 

"The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary". The recitation of the Angelus and the ringing of Church bells three times a day has been a longstanding Catholic practice. Though many of us now live in situations where it is no longer possible or advisable to ring the Church bells to announce the Angelus, it is still a valuable spiritual exercise to pause for a moment during our busy day to remember the central gift of our faith: the Incarnation of Jesus, and the work of our redemption.

Through Lent, we prepare for Easter. At the end of the year, through Advent we will prepare for Christmas. But the Annunciation begins a longer cycle of preparation for both Christmas and Easter. The shadow of the Cross lies over Christmas, and the glory of the resurrection lightens up the room of the Annunciation in Mary's house at Nazareth. Through the Paschal mystery of her Son, Mary was prepared for this moment in humility and poverty, freedom and grace. Called to be Mother of God, she is Mother of the Redemption.



Holy Mary, called to be Mother of God, pray for us who are called to follow Your Son, Jesus.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation between persons and people may be understood and that the Church through her testimony, may spread Christ's love, the source of new humanity.
Elaboration

- END -


© Copyright Shalom 2008. All rights reserved.