“I am the handmaid of the Lord”
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (March 25, 2019): IS 7:10-14, 8:10; PS 40:7-8,8-9,10,11; HEB 10:4:10; LK 1:26-38
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
When we say the Rosary, the first decade of the Joyful Mysteries is known as the Annunciation.
It is the visit of the angel Gabriel to the young Mary, to tell her that our Divine Father wanted her to be the mother of His Son who would rule over His kingdom forever. She was betrothed to Joseph, but, as a loyal Jew, this devout virgin had never had relations with him, so she understandably wanted to know how this would happen. When God’s messenger told her that the power of the Holy Spirit makes all things possible, she was content. Mary did not need details. She did not need to know where God was taking her. She only needed to be open to His grace and embrace His will. That would be enough for her for the rest of her life. “Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38).
So the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity was made incarnate within Mary. And in time, He would be born and grow up. Little Jesus of Nazareth would become a carpenter like His foster father Joseph. He would preach the mercy and redemption that God offered His people – and all people. Some would follow Him. Others would not. And Jesus would lay down His life to save His brothers and sisters whoever they are. Now in this season of Lent, it is appropriate to think of a young virgin who heard the will of God and accepted it. And we remember that our Savior, who would sacrifice Himself on a cross, was once an infant in the womb of his faithful, loving mother.
Suggested missionary action: We can honor this feast day celebrating the Annunciation of the Incarnation by offering a World Mission Rosary. We can ask Mary to help us spread the Good News of her Son to every corner of the earth.