Announcements are central to our lives, especially during this time of Covid. We wait from day to day for news of what is going to happen next in every area of life. We wait for announcements on:\u00a0 rising or falling numbers of Covid deaths daily, travel restrictions, opening of cr\u00e8ches\u2019, schools and colleges, dates and times of administration of vaccines, return to Church liturgies, sports fixtures, opening of restaurants, spread of the virus and much more. What announcement are you waiting to hear? Somehow, we never give up hope as we wait from one day to the next. We learn patience and trust, even though we may feel despondent.<\/p>\n
The first reading from the prophet Isaiah (Is 7: 10-14. 8:10) proclaims at Mass today the prophecy about the Virgin giving birth. People consider this one of the most important prophecies of Scripture. The prophet announces, \u2018The Lord himself therefore will give you a sign\u2026 the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel, a name which means, \u2018God-is-with-us.\u2019<\/p>\n
The response to Psalm 39 sums up the disciples\u2019 mission in life, \u2018Here I am Lord! I come to do your will.\u2019<\/p>\n
In the second reading from Hebrews (Heb 10:4-10), Scripture proclaims how Jesus came to do his Father\u2019s will. He did this by laying down his life for all. God calls each one to do his will. That means, we follow the way of Jesus in loving God and one another. In prayer, we listen to what God asks of us.<\/p>\n
The Gospel (Lk 1: 26-38), proclaims Mary\u2019s response to God. Angel Gabriel came to Mary with an announcement from God. Gabriel announces good news to a highly favoured woman. Gabriel greets Mary, \u2018Rejoice, so highly favoured!\u2019 This was the moment of decision of the destiny of the world.\u00a0 God chose Mary as favoured and beloved. Disturbed at first by the angel\u2019s invitation, Mary recognised the divine revelation of her unique calling.\u00a0\u00a0 Mary heard in the announcement what the angel said about Jesus. He is Saviour and he will be great. He will be son of David and Son of the Most High. Mary\u2019s response is definite. She boldly expresses her faith and surrenders saying, \u2018I am the handmaid of the Lord.\u2019 \u00a0In offering this invitation to Mary to become the Mother of his Son, God loved Mary with a greater love than God had for any other creature. Hence Mary is called full of grace. She is full of grace and has a role in our salvation. God\u2019s grace teaches us to do God\u2019s will.<\/p>\n
Today God\u2019s people celebrate Mary as the first disciple, the one who said yes to God. She is the model for all disciples.<\/p>\n
Each time we pray the Angelus we recall the sacred moment when Gabriel called Mary to be Mother of God. Let us reflect on Mary\u2019s beauty, faith, care, courage and confidence.<\/p>\n
This Scripture is explored in every stage of the Grow in Love\/ I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/em> programme. The themes include prayer, discipleship, devotion to Mary, and striving to do God\u2019s will. VERITAS provides accompanying online resources to support the theme of the Annunciation, including the Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/em> e-books.<\/p>\n