25 Mar
Wed
Annunciation of the Lord
Is. 7:10-14; 8:10
Ps. 40(39):7-8a,8b-9,10,11
Heb. 10:4-10
Lk. 1:26-38
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Several centuries after the words of the prophet Isaiah were written down, as found in the first reading, the Gospel writer Luke, through the event of the annunciation, affirms that Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. For Luke, the annunciation of the birth of Jesus is the high point of all the Old Testament prophecies for it proves that nothing is impossible with God.

Certainly, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord reveals to Christians the greatest mystery of our faith and the true nature of the promised Messiah, that is, he is both human and divine. However, it also reveals what true faith is through the person of Mary. What the angel communicated to her was something tremendous. Yet, she exercised the faith required on her part to accept the truth of it.

As such, Mary's response to God's call was full of trust and humility. Inspite her faith, there is no doubt that the fulfillment of the promise might bring along with it shame, reproach and even a death sentence as she was an unmarried woman. But she did not allow her fears to deter her from humbly submitting herself to the will of God.

In accepting her physical motherhood as the mother of the Messiah, Mary assents to her spiritual motherhood for all humanity. As stated by the Second Vatican Council: "At the message of the angel, the Virgin Mary received the word of God in her heart and in her body, and gave life to the world" (Constitution on the Church, 53).



Lord, help me to do Your will always.




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 those involved in scientific research may serve the well-being of the whole human person.
Elaboration

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