Luke 1:26-38

Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38

The Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The Angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the Angel, “How can this be, since I ama virgin?” The Angel said to her, “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 holy; he will be called Son of God. “And now, your relative Elisabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Reflections

Perhaps the most beautiful, touching, and intimate Gospel reading by Luke describes the scene of the Annunciation. Artists for centuries captured this event on canvas, depicting Mary, a young woman, being visited by the Angel Gabriel. The dialogue between Mary and the Angel is brief, but historically, of the greatest significance.

The Angel greeted Mary with a greeting she had never heard before. “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” She was perplexed, not only by the presence of the Angel, but by the words with which he addressed her. Aware of her apprehension, the Angel reassured her not to be afraid.

Women of Judea have been waiting for the birth of the Messiah as foretold by the prophets. The Messiah would lead them to freedom from bondage and restore the house of David to its glory. Furthermore, a Messiah who would change their lives because his kingdom would be forever. Wise men were on the lookout for a special start heralding the birth of a new king, the chosen one, the Messiah. It appeared over Bethlehem, in Judea, nine months later, when Jesus was born.

But Mary lived in Nazareth. She was engaged to Joseph, the carpenter, who was from the house of David. Her reaction was sincere and immediate: “How will this be possible?”

The Angel reassured her that with God, everything is possible. He shared with her the news of another miraculous event; her cousin Elisabeth, who was thought to be barren, was now expecting a child.

Mary’s answer changed the history of humanity. Her “yes” meant the acceptance of God’s plan with faith.

Over two thousand years later, the same eyes of faith are required to perceive the miracle of our existence. Although we cannot analyze, or prove the ultimate reason for our being, through faith we can accept that such a reason exists.

Looking at our concrete circumstances, many of the higher values may remain hidden from our view, and it is easy to become bound to what we can see, touch, or measure. Reason helps us to advance to the threshold of mystery, where it has to be complemented with faith because faith alone can affirm that which reason cannot comprehend.

What we can discern through careful attunement is that there is a question-and-answer character to life through which we, like Mary, are questioned time and time again. Where are those life situations that require that we let grace work within us? Where are those events where we need to entrust ourselves entirely to the care of Providence?

With Mary, the promise took flesh and entered the world. Similarly, saying “yes” to life, despite everything, allows the spark of hope to be born into our midst.