The feast of the Annunciation is a solemnity which we celebrate in the midst of our Lenten journey. This liturgical feast day was first celebrated in the Church back in the 4th or 5th century. The focus of this feast day is the incarnation of the Lord, of God being with us in human flesh.
Mary has an important role in God’s plan of salvation. God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus. Mary’s is God’s instrument in the incarnation, participating in God’s plan of redemption for humanity in a special way. Yet, it is God’s grace operating in her life that allows Mary to fulfill this role and to accept God’s will for her. Mary’s role is a special link between God’s plan and our earthly existence. In Mary, we see in a very special way the possibilities God has in store for us as human beings, the possibilities we have in living out our lives as disciples of Christ. In her graciousness, in her service, and in her humility, Mary exemplifies what the Church can be and what we human beings can become. What Mary exemplifies is not some unattainable ideal. May we follow in Mary’s footsteps as we discern God’s will for us and follow that will in our lives.
As we reflect upon the way Mary unconditionally said “yes” to God in the Annunciation in the visit of the Angel Gabriel to her, let us pray that we, too, would be able to say “yes” to God and to his will for us in our lives. Let us be able to respond in the same way the psalmist responds today: “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.”
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