Readings for Wednesday March 25, 2009
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:4-10
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the Angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38)
With Mary's 'yes' to God, everything from that moment on would never be the same. Things would never be the same for her, the former life that she knew so well would be so different now. She was now to be the mother of our Lord, she was ready and willing to take on this great, and what seemed like an impossible task. But she did not complain or question, she said yes and took each moment at a time. Things would not be the same for her soon to be husband Joseph either, here he now had the task of caring and providing for the messiah and for the mother of our Lord. But he said yes to God as well.
After the birth of Jesus, He called twelve men specifically to be His disciples, and oh how their worlds would change too. They would witness great miracles, be taught straight from the mouth of God, and they would see Jesus risen from the dead and ascend into heaven. They would then be given the power of the Holy spirit to spread the good news in Jerusalem, Samaria, and all the way to the ends of the earth. Saint Paul, a once strong persecutor of the early Christians, had his life turned upside down by Christ as well. On his way to Damascus, Paul came into contact with the risen Christ and was asked why he was persecuting the Lord. From that moment on, things would never be the same for Paul. Paul and many of his fellow disciples would be challenged, beaten, locked in jail, and face great adversity, all for the glory of our Lord.
Today, we remember and celebrate the Annunciation of our Lord. This is the moment where things would never be the same. Once Christ came into our world, He changed things for all those who came in contact with Him. He changed the state of the world by dying on the cross for our sins. He changed things by tearing down the veil and by giving us a way to the Father through Him.
From the moment Mary said yes, things would never be the same, for her, Joseph, the disciples, Paul, you, me and the whole world. Thanks be to God!
Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be a world without end. Amen.
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