Annunciation (Solemnity)

March 25

Today’s feast is really the first feast of the Incarnation as the angel announces the coming of the Savior in time and space. Foretold by the prophets and long-awaited by the Jewish people, today the fact of the Word made flesh begins in the obedient “Yes” of a faithful and faith-filled young woman. “There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being,” St. Bernadine wrote. “Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand.”

And the Church teaches in the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception that this is certainly true of Mary. But no matter how well prepared we are, regardless of the number of gifts with which we have been blessed, God never forces us to accept our vocation, but always graciously waits for our assent.

The Annunciation was that defining moment for Mary. “Rejoice, O highly favored daughter!” the angel saluted her, and for a moment, Mary was afraid. But as the angel explains further, she consents: “I am the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.” Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, that we, too, will let the Lord use us to bring Christ to a waiting world.

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