This is the third solemnity in six days: 19 March, Saint Joseph; 22 March, the Fourth Sunday in Lent; & 25 March, the Annunciation. I don't feel much like celebrating, but it is as important to learn to feast when the Church feasts as to learn to fast when the Church fasts.
'Tis the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (nine months B.C.): Annunciation-link ūnus, Annunciation-link duo, Wikipedia-link Annunciation, & Wikipedia-link Feast.
Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:
Lord Jesus, as Your dear Mother Mary gave her "fiat" when she responded, "Let it be done to me according to your word" (Like, 1:38), so too many I learn to cooperate with God's will.Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
The Book of Isaiah, chapter seven, verses ten thru fourteen & chapter eight, verse ten;
Psalm Forty (R/. eight[a] & nine[a]), verses seven & eight(a), eight(b) & nine, ten, & eleven;
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter ten, verses four thru ten;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses twenty-six thru thirty-eight.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel the angel Gabriel reveals to Mary that she will bear a Son who will reign from David’s throne.Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
As background, note that God had promised that David’s throne would last forever, but his line had apparently been broken in 587 BC. Six hundred years later Gabriel appeared to Mary, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph of the house of David.
Greeting her as "full of grace," the angel announced that she will conceive in her womb and bear a Son. "He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High." Then comes the kicker that would have taken the breath away from any first-century Jew listening to the story: "And the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
What seemed to have come to an end had in fact just gone underground, and was now ready to appear fully in the light. The kingly line of David was in fact unsevered, and now the full meaning of God’s promise would be revealed.
Reflect: What is revealed here about God’s timing and his promises?
"Easter of Hope" Reflection (Array of Hope):
In Today’s Gospel we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation. Although this Gospel is commonly shared during the Advent Season, it is important to meditate on it during the Lenten season. The Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she would have a Son. This young, humble teenage girl was asked to carry the Savior of the world. She didn’t know exactly what would happen, but she knew it would be difficult and require a sacrifice of her. Despite this, she trusted in God’s plan with joy. She deeply desired to serve God when she said,“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Her Yes gave us the Savior.
Are you willing to say yes to God’s plan for you? So often we worry about our daily struggles and become anxious not knowing what the future will bring. We agonize over the little things and begin doubting ourselves. We get frustrated when things don’t go our way and ask, “Why, God?” We are called to trust in Our Lord despite the uncertainties in life. We may not know what lies ahead of us, but God knows! In fact, He has a beautiful plan for each one of us. It may be different than what you thought you had planned for yourself, it may be difficult and demand great sacrifices of you, but God knows you better than anyone. Like Mary, we need to trust that God knows what is best for us, no matter how difficult it may seem.
Today’s Tip: Say a decade of the Rosary, pray to have the courage to say a greater Yes to God and His plans for you. If something happens in your life today that inconveniences or upsets you, let it go and give it to God. Understand that all things happen for a reason and work together for the good. As Mary did, may we continue to trust in God and His perfect plan for our lives.
Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 73
The Book of Exodus, chapter thirty-two, verses one thru six.
Commentary: The Golden Calf (Exodus, 32:1-6).
Scripture Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Sirach, chapter forty-three (verses one thru thirty-three).
Commentary: God's Greatness in Creation (Sirach, 43:1-33).
Scripture Study—The 3:16 Project
The Book of Baruch, chapter chapter three, verse sixteen.
Where are the princes of the nations,Proverb o' the Day (Sirach, 43:30)
& those who rule over the beasts on earth;
When you praise the Lord, exalt Him as much as you can;Papal Quote o' the Day
for He will surpass even that.
When you exalt Him, put forth all your strength,
& do not grow weary, for you cannot praise Him enough.
"The angel departs; her mission remains, & with it matures her inner closeness to God, a closeness that in her heart she is able to see & touch."
—Pope Benedict XVI (b. 1927, r. 2005-2013)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"Him Whom the heavens cannot contain, the womb of one woman bore. She ruled our Ruler; she carried Him in Whom we are; she gave milk to our Bread."
—St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church (354-430, feast: 28 August)
Chesterton Quote o' the Day
"A baby is the kingdom of God."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)
No comments:
Post a Comment