annunciation

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10; Psalm 40 Here I am Lord, I come to do your will; Hebrews 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-28

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.  

Annunciation simply means to announce.  As we read the gospel story there are two announcements.

First, the angel Gabriel announces to the Mary,the virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, that she was to conceive and bear a child.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you."

The word "hail" in greek means to rejoice.  Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

As Pope Benedict reminds us, the announcement by the Angel Gabriel to Mary, sets the tone for the entire history of salvation. Jesus is inaugurated into history with "rejoicing." 

It is a solemn joy that echoes from eternity and enters into time and leads us all on our journey home. 

"Rejoice!"

The second announcement is that of the Virgin Mary.  She embraced the greeting of Joy and responded to that joy in a manner that is worthy of such a greeting, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done unto me according to your word." 

She said "yes!"  It is most appropriate to respond with affirmation to a word of Joy from God the most high.  Yes, be it done unto me.  Let the joy reign down and may I be an instrument of such grace and favor i so undeservedly received.  What a noble response to such a noble request. 

Mary opens up and allows eternity to enter into time and the child is conceived.  The conception of Jesus marks the beginning of a new era where grace will abound and sin will be destroyed, life will be full and death will be conquered, sadness will give way to joy that is full.

"Then the angel departed from her."

The angel departed but the joy remained.  

May we enter fully into the announcement from on high and the announcement from below and find meaning  between the both, for just as Mary found favor with God, so we find favor through her "yes."

The picture is taken from the altar dedicated to the Annunciation in the Basilica of the Annunciation.  This is believed to be the place where the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary.  The inscription on the altar reads, "Verbum Caro Hic Factum Est," (Here the Word became flesh.)

The place of the Annunciation is a simple abode filled with the daily routine of life.  It can be found in any place and in every place across the globe.  The Angel comes to the ordinary world to invite us to participate in an extraordinary way.  If it can happen in such a humble place, it can happen in us.

May the word become flesh in each of us this day and always.