Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
The groundbreaking theologian Sister of Saint Joseph Elizabeth Johnson has spoken powerfully of Mary of Nazareth as a Jewish village woman of faith and a “friend of God and prophet.” And I must say, too, we always say, “yes” to our friends!
Mary must have grown up with dear parents, Ann and Joachim, teaching and witnessing to her that we say “yes” to the grand friend, our God. She learned and heard a message, triggered by her very being, that God’s will must always be accomplished. Signs and wonders, from Ahaz to her time, all pointed in one direction: “Yere I am, Lord; I come to do your will.” “Yes, dear friend!”
Each day, we have angels and choices announcing possibilities to us, providing options for the ways we should follow or not follow God’s plan for us. We can never forget the deep theological belief of this day, as the letter to the Hebrews charts: “we have been consecrated” to Christ forever.
The back-and-forth dialogue of the Angelus is one of my favorite prayers and a reminder that we, in our friendship with God, are called to be the flesh of God’s word – to be Emmanuel for others. The regular reminder of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament unites our friendship and prayer with God with a constant “yes.” What must I do today to increase my prophetic friendship with our loving God?
Let Us Pray:
V/. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, R/. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
V/. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, R/. Be it done unto me according to your Word.
V/. And the Word was made flesh, R/. And dwelt among us.Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts: that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel,
may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection.
Through Christ our Lord. (Angelus Prayer) [1]
- Excerpted from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, revised edition © 2007 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved.
