† The Annunciation. † | |
This is clear from the very first mystery, the Annunciation, where Gabriel’s greeting to the Virgin of Nazareth is linked to an invitation to messianic joy: “Rejoice, Mary”. The whole of salvation history, in some sense the entire history of the world, has led up to this greeting. If it is the Father’s plan to unite all things in Christ, then the whole of the universe is in some way touched by the divine favor with which the Father looks upon Mary and makes her the Mother of his Son. The whole of humanity, in turn, is embraced by the faith with which she readily agrees to the will of God. Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 1. In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. (Lk 1:26-27) 2. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you! (Lk 1:28) 3. But she was greatly troubled at this saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (Lk 1:29-30) 4. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,” (Lk 1:31-32a) 5. ..and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the House of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will have no end.” (Lk 1:32b-33) 6. But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” (Lk 1:34) 7. And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Lk 1:35a) 8. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” (Lk 1:35b) 9. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing is impossible for God.” (Lk 1:36-37) 10. 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. (Lk 1:38) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. O my Jesus, forgive us of our sins. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well-beloved Spouse. O Sacrament, Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment Thine. |