The Annunciation

"Good News For Everyone"

When meditating upon the Annunciation mystery it may be useful to look at a picture of the Annunciation or even listen to some soothing, uplifting music.

Be mindful that the fruit of this mystery is humility and recall this scene as you meditate...

The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary, a young Jewish girl.

Gabriel greets Mary saying, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." Luke 1:28.

These familiar words is how Mary is greeted in the Hail Mary Prayer, the main rosary prayer.

Gabriel is declaring that Mary is holy. She never had original sin, in the words of the angel, she is "full of grace".

Mary being very humble is disturbed by the angels words. The angel recognizing this then adds, "Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God."Luke 1:30

Gabriel continues with his message to Mary,

"Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end." Luke 1:31-33

Now because Mary is a virgin she is puzzled and asks the angel how this is possible.

He answers her...

"The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35

Mary knows about the promise of a savior and is well informed of the Messianic prophesies of the Old Testament.

However, when you look at her comments to the angel, Mary obviously doesn't fully understand all that is happening to her but she answers in the most obedient and confident way.

She says...

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word." -Luke 1:38

Mary always conforms her will to that of God's.

Imitating Mary's attitude toward God's will is a sure way to bring peace to your life.

For the exact Bible account of the Annunciation please see Luke 1:26-38

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Archangel Gabriel declares so here when he uses the words full of grace to describe Mary.

Mary was free from all stain of sin.

Jesus picked her from all eternity to be His mother.

He could only share flesh with a pure and unblemished Mother.

Mary also called herself by this title at Lourdes.

This is a theme of humility that is seen throughout the Biblical accounts of Mary...

"But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart." -Luke 2:19

"And his mother kept all these words in her heart." -Luke 2:51

The more the angel exalted her the humbler she became.

That is why she is troubled by his annunciation

• Mary is the handmaid or servant of the Lord
• Mary trusts in God
• Mary is the first to hear the "Good News"
• "Blessed are the clean of heart" Matthew 5:8

Lucifer was impressed with his own brilliance and in his pride thought himself better than God.

In contrast, Mary shows deep humility and as you can see in her Magnificat, she gave all the glory to God where it belongs

Surely she prayed that God would send this Messiah.

Yet she was much too humble to ever think she would be chosen to share her flesh with Him

Nevertheless, Mary said "I will" to God.

Follow her example of trust and confidence in God's plan for you. No matter how confusing they may seem.

This is the most powerful answer that could be given.

This is Mary's "yes".

At this moment "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" -John 1:14

The Son of God became the Son of Mary

Mary does not let way to her own glory. She humbly responds that she is the servant of God

One final thought for meditation comes from St. Alphonsus Liguori in The Glories of Mary.

Mary "is infinitely inferior to God, but immensely superior to all creatures; and as it is impossible to find a Son more noble than Jesus, so is it also impossible to find a Mother more noble than Mary."

Dear Lord, thank You for coming to this world through your spotless, virgin mother Mary.

Through her humility and willingness to do only the will of God, Your greatness has been manifested.

Please increase in me the virtues of faith, obedience, and humility so that by imitating Your Mother I may find consolation in all my trials.

Amen.

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