25 March 2011: Solemnity -- The Annunciation of the Lord

The Archangel Gabriel communicated to Mary that she will be the Mother of the Son of God. Mary’s ‘Fiat’ (Consent) initiated the working of the Holy Spirit and she conceived the Saviour. In this dialogue Our Lady appears to us so humble; yet so great. Through her consent to God’s plans, she takes part in the whole redemptive work of her Son, Jesus. We venerate her as the Mother of Christ and our Mother. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1499)

‘The Word was made flesh ...’

“... the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

Upon arriving, the angel said to her: ‘Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.’ When she had heard him she was troubled at his word, and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be.

“And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God. You shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name 'Jesus'. Great will be his dignity and he will be called Son of the most high. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever and his reign will be without end.’” (Lk 1:26-33)

Our Lady, having been allayed by the angel about fearing the loss of her virginity, gave her consent: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.” (Lk 1:38) Immediately, “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14).

Here ... is the answer given by a mother, ... the reply of a young woman: a “yes” which suffices for a whole life.

Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p134

Many practical reflections flock to the mind-- 1. Mary endowed with grace, raised to a dignity above all other creatures, looks on herself as nothing, calls herself only “the handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38). And I, empty of mind, full of sins and imperfections, raise myself in thought above others.

2. Mary recognizes the great things that have been wrought in her; but, as she answered the congratulations of Elizabeth, she looks on them only as the free gift of God: “He that is mighty has done great things to me.” (Lk 1:49)

And I look on the little good I do as my own personal merit: I like to be esteemed before men.

3. Mary was more anxious to please God by preserving her virginal purity than to have the honor of the Divine motherhood. And I fear so little to tarnish the purity of my soul in the eyes of God.

What did God do on this day in our favor? He gave us the proof of his infinite love by giving us his only Son. ‘For God so loved the world’ (the men who are in the world) ‘as to give his only-begotten Son’ (become a mortal Man capable of suffering), that the world may be saved by him.

It is by Mary who became on this day a mother while still a virgin, that he has willed to give him to us; ‘Mary, of whom was born Jesus’.

Let us be disposed to what the Church inspires in us as the fruit of this feast by rekindling love in our hearts towards our God and Creator, our heavenly Father. Let us be grateful towards the Eternal Son of God, made Man for us on this day. Let us have a filial devotion to Our Lady who on this day became Mother of God.

Let us activate these feelings: our ‘love’, by striving to fulfill more faithfully our Father’s Will-- our sanctification; our ‘gratitude’, in honoring this wonderful abasement of the Son of God in his Incarnation, by exalting and practising humility; our ‘filial devotion’ towards the Mother of God and our Mother, by being like her.

Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp857

Our Lady

“See the simplicity? ‘Ecce ancilia’ -- ‘Behold the handmaid!’ And the Word was made flesh. That’s how the saints worked: without any outward show. And if there was any, it was in spite of themselves.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 510)

“Mary most holy, Mother of God, passes unnoticed, as just one more among the women of her town. Learn from her how to live with ‘naturalness’.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 499)

Lourdes: The sixteenth apparition

‘Thursday.’ Bernadette didn’t sleep well -- her Lady was calling. She got to the grotto at 5:00 A.M. “Aquero” was waiting. After saying her rosary, she entered the grotto. On coming out her face was joyful.

Dropping the candle in her great haste, she ran off to tell Peyramale the news. Bernadette narrated: “... I again asked her three times in a row who she is. She continued to smile. Finally, I dared ask once more. Unclasping her hands, she stood with her arms at her sides; then once more crossed her hands up to her breast, meanwhile looking up to heaven. And told me she is the Immaculate Conception ...”

Peyramale asked her if she was certain of the Lady’s reply. Bernadette said she was and that she had repeated the words -- mysterious for her -- the whole way back so she wouldn’t forget them.

This day was the high point of the story of Lourdes. The name “Immaculate Conception” was totally foreign to Bernadette’s simple vocabulary. Practically illiterate at the time, it had to be explained to her later by M. Estradre: only the Virgin Mary could have said “I am the Immaculate Conception”.

Peyramale’s doubts were dissipated. He remained prudent and reserved; but he had already decided. He would later say, “even if the roses never bloomed, water undeniably did spout from the spring”.

Ref: Cf G Menotti, “Lourdes”, p14

“Alma Mater” -- “Nourishing mother”, from a hymn to the Blessed Mother, “Alma Redemptoris Mater”. Applied to universities and schools, considered foster mothers of students. (cf “The 1955 National Catholic Almanac”, p212)

“Redemptoris Mater” (Mother of the Redeemer). Pope John Paul II’s sixth Encyclical, 25 March 1987. (In George Weigel, “Witness to Hope”, 1999, p577)

• The Annunciation of Our Lady. This feast was instituted by the apostles, and is the most ancient of all. — (John Bonifacius, lib. ii., Historia Virginis, c. 5.) (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Annunciation. Instituted by the Apostles. The oldest Marian festival. In years when this falls during Lent, the celebration is transferred to earlier in the Month. The day marked the beginning of the New Year in old style calendars. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Annunciation (Instituted by the Apostles -- most ancient festival of Our Lady). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord to Our Lady, instituted by the apostles, and the most ancient of all feasts. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)