Fri Mar 25, 2022 Solemnity, Annunciation of the Lord

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God the Father, Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit prepared a role for each of us in Their Kingdom, before the foundation of the world. There are turning points in our lives when our “yes” seems to quicken our progress in God's Kingdom plans. Today's Solemnity of the Annunciation celebrates Mary's “yes” to God's plan for her life – to be Mother of the Messiah-Redeemer of the world.
The first reading from the prophet Isaiah announces the Father's plan to bring Christ into the world through Mary: “...the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us!”
The psalm today (Ps 40) also prophesies about Christ. He would come in obedience to the Father's will, to announce the Good News and give His life for the salvation of the world:

“Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, 'Behold I come.'
In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
'To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!'
I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
Your justice I kept not hid within my heart; your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of; I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth in the vast assembly.”

The second reading (Heb 10:4-10) confirms that Jesus is the fulfillment of Psalm 40:

“...when Christ came into the world, he said: 'Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.’
...He takes away the first to establish the second. By this 'will,' we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Mary's “yes” opened the door for this prophecy's fulfillment, “...a body you prepared for me...” Jesus received His body – His humanity – through Mary's “yes” to God's plan, announced to Her in today's Gospel reading:

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, 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.”
...The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
...Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.'”

In order to give Jesus an uncorrupted humanity, Mary was preserved from sin by Christ Himself, the Lamb “slain from before the foundation of the world,”(Rev 13:8) by the merits of His cross and resurrection.

Today is a day of great joy and for humanity. We celebrate Mary's “yes,” (“May it be done to me according to Your word.”) which untied the bonds of sin brought on by Eve's disobedience, and opened the way to our restoration to the Father in Christ, Her Son.

Something to ponder: Jesus calls Mary “Mother.” United with Jesus by our Baptism, we honour Her as our Mother as well. Hail Mary our Mother! Pray for us, that we too might give our “yes” to God's unique and glorious plan for our lives.

Link to readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032522.cfm

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