The WORD in Other Words by Fr Pablo Garay Jr SVD (Philippines)
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25
Today we call to mind the Announcement of the Angel Gabriel to Mary that she was to be the mother of the Messiah and the Great Promise was about to be fulfilled. We note that from today to December 25th, Christmas, the celebration of Christ’s birth, is exactly 9 months. So today too we celebrate the beginning of Mary’s pregnancy of Jesus. That moment when Mary said “yes” to Angel Gabriel was also the moment when Mary’s conception of Jesus began!
Today too is the anniversary of Mary’s announcement to Bernadette in Lourdes, France, in 1858, that she was the Immaculate Conception (“I am the Immaculate Conception, “ says our Lady.)
This convergence of the dates and events reminds us that God from all eternity had all these planned for Mary and us! These remind us that immediately after the Fall of Adam and Eve, God had in mind Mary who was to be that “offspring” that would crush the head of the serpent.
As God through all eternity had Mary in mind, so God through all eternity had in mind each one of us in His salvific plan. Nobody is an “accident” in God’s plan of salvation. Each one of us, like Mary, is invited to cooperate with God in His plan. And like Mary, each one is given a role in the unfolding of God’s work of salvation. Oh, that we say with Mary: “Let it be done unto me according to your word!”
– Fr. Pablo G. Garay, Jr., SVD (St. Therese Parish, Dagupan City)
Source – The WORD in Other Words, Bible Diary 2020
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