But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call him Jesus.
He will be great, and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he
will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and his reign shall have no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this
be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow
you; therefore, the holy child to be born of you shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her
old age, although she was unable to have a child; and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible.” Then Mary
said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Reflection:
The visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Angel Gabriel is
unique and unrepeatable in history. Yet each one of us has our own little
annunciations in life. It may not be accompanied by light and thunder, or delivered
by winged messengers in haste. Nevertheless, they are important to us. It
speaks of God’s will for us communicated in various ways. The question is, are we
equal to the task or invitation at hand? Some of us accept it in sullen pride, aware of our
own importance in God’s greater scheme. Others shrink in terror refusing to
heed the call, and when released breathe a sigh of relief. They will not be
punished. Ordinary life will continue. But the path to greatness vanishes. Never to
reappear again. The Virgin is blessed among women because she accepted the
ministry of being the mother of God the Son. She was brave when it mattered.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021