DECEMBER 08, 2012 : SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 689

Reading 1 Gn 3:9-15, 20

After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree,
the LORD God called to the man and asked him, "Where are you?"
He answered, "I heard you in the garden;
but I was afraid, because I was naked,
so I hid myself."
Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked?
You have eaten, then,
from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!"
The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with me--
she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it."
The LORD God then asked the woman,
"Why did you do such a thing?"
The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it."

Then the LORD God said to the serpent:
"Because you have done this, you shall be banned
from all the animals
and from all the wild creatures;
on your belly shall you crawl,
and dirt shall you eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel."

The man called his wife Eve,
because she became the mother of all the living.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

R. (1) Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

Reading 2 Eph 1:3-6, 11-12

Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.

In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.

Gospel Lk 1:26-38

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.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
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,
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 be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
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.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
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 will be impossible for God."
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.

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Meditation: "For with God nothing will be impossible"

Do you want to live a grace-filled life? The angel Gabriel salutes Mary as "full of grace". To become the mother of the Savior, Mary was enriched by God with gifts to enable her to assume this awesome role. There is a venerable tradition among many Christians, dating back to the early church, for honoring Mary as the spotless virgin who bore the Son of God in her womb. A number of early church fathers link Mary's obedience to this singular grace of God. "Being obedient she became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race" (Irenaeus, 2nd century). "The knot of Eve's disobedience was united by Mary's obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith" (Ireneaus, 2nd century).

What is the key that can unlock the power and grace of God’s kingdom in our personal lives? Faith and obedience for sure! When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they immediately experienced the consequence of their action – separation from the God who loved them. God in his mercy promised them a Redeemer who would pay the price for their sin and the sin of the world. We see the marvelous unfolding of God's plan of redemption in the events leading up to the Incarnation, the birth of the Messiah. Mary's prompt response of "yes" to the divine message is a model of faith for all believers. Mary believed God's promises even when they seemed impossible. She was full of grace because she trusted that what God said was true and would be fulfilled. She was willing and eager to do God's will, even if it seemed difficult or costly. God gives us grace and he expects us to respond with the same willingness, obedience, and heart-felt trust as Mary did. When God commands he also gives the grace, strength, and means to respond. We can either yield to his grace or resist and go our own way. Do you believe in God's promises and do you yield to his grace?

"Heavenly Father, you offer us abundant grace, mercy, and forgiveness through your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to live a grace-filled life as Mary did by believing in your promises and by giving you my unqualified "yes" to your will and to your plan for my life."

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Holiness Is Just a “Yes” Away!

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary

Luke 1: 26-38 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. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 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, 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 be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 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. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 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 will be impossible for God.” 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. Introductory Prayer: Lord, you are the author of life and of love. You wish to draw me closer to you, and yet I seem to find so many ways to escape from you. Forgive my dullness and coldness of heart. At least here I am now, hungry to know you and love you more and more. y Heavenly Father, help me to decide once and for all to strive for holiness. 1. God Makes the First Choice: When we read the Old Testament we marvel at the many accounts of people chosen by God to fulfill a certain mission. We are familiar with the calling of the prophets Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 6), Jeremiah (cf. Jeremiah 1), Moses (cf. Exodus 3), and so on. Mary is the New Testament prototype of God’s calling. In all cases, God is the one who takes the initiative; he sends his messenger to communicate his choice. For Mary, the humble girl of Nazareth, this calling comes unexpectedly and is beyond purely human possibilities. For this reason she is troubled by the words of the angel Gabriel and wonders about the greeting he gives. Do I keep in mind that God’s plan for my life comes of his own initiative? Have I given my answer yet? Lord, help me to cooperate with you fully in putting into action your ‘golden’ blueprint for my life. 2. A Case Presented to Confirm Freedom: God doesn’t want Mary to act blindly; he wants a response that involves her whole heart, mind and soul. For this reason the angel Gabriel answers Mary’s questions and concerns, which do not manifest doubt but, rather, humility in seeking to understand God’s will. God created Mary free of sin and filled her with grace and goodness. Yet he respects her freedom to choose to do his will. What a mystery that the all-powerful God who created all things and who lovingly cares for us should be so generous in respecting our freedom! Lord, keep me from abusing my freedom in willfully subjecting myself to the slavery of my passions: pride, vanity, sensuality. 3. Holiness Is Just a “Yes” Away: After hearing God’s messenger, Mary must give her answer. She does so with flying colors. Her generosity perfectly echoes God’s. Every moment of the day is a new opportunity for us to imitate Mary’s excellent example. She dedicated her life to saying “yes” to everything God asked of her, no matter what it was. She was rewarded with the grace of the Assumption. Only saints get into heaven, so we need to dedicate ourselves to following the path of holiness, too. That means giving a simple, humble “yes” to every opportunity provided by God to become more Christlike. Lord, give me the courage to offer you my life as a blank sheet of paper, so you can write whatever you wish upon it. Conversation with Christ: Jesus, I know that you are calling me to be more like you today! I know this is not an easy task, but you will give me the grace to achieve such a high ideal. I need to trust you and to see everything as something you send my way to help me achieve my goal of holiness. Grant me the grace, motivation, and continued good examples of others to be generous like Mary, your Mother. Resolution: I will take a moment to encourage another person to strive for holiness, too. In a special way, I will be mindful to encourage young people to be open to the consecrated vocation, should the Lord be calling them.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8
SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
LUKE 1:26-38
(GENESIS 3:9-15, 20; PSALM 98; EPHESIANS 1:3-6, 11-12)
KEY VERSE: "HAIL FAVORED ONE! THE LORD IS WITH YOU" (V 28). 
READING: AFTER CENTURIES OF LONGING FOR THE MESSIAH, GOD'S MESSENGER, THE ANGEL GABRIEL, ANNOUNCED THE GLORIOUS EVENT TO A YOUNG WOMAN WHO LIVED IN OF NAZARETH, AN OBSCURE VILLAGE IN GALILEE. THE VIRGIN'S NAME WASMARY (HEBREW, MIRYAM, "THE EXALTED ONE"). THE ANGEL TOLD MARY THAT SHE FOUND FAVOR WITH GOD AND WOULD BEAR A SON WHOM SHE WAS TO NAME JESUS (HEBREW, YESHUA, "YAHWEH SAVES"). MARY WAS DEEPLY TROUBLED BY THE ANGEL'SMESSAGE, BUT WAS TOLD NOT TO BE AFRAID. GOD'S SON WOULD BE CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. THIS "SON OF THE MOST HIGH" WOULD RULE ETERNALLY OVER THE "HOUSE OF JACOB" (V 32-33) FULFILLING THE PROMISES MADE TO KING DAVID (2 SM 7:16). MARY RESPONDED WITH FAITHFUL SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD (FIAT, "LET IT BE DONE"). EVEN BEFORE HER SON'S BIRTH, MARY PRAYED THE WORLD'S GREATEST PRAYER: "THY WILL BE DONE." MARY'S DISPOSITION OF HUMILITY, FAITHFULNESS AND PRAISE ARE NECESSARY VIRTUES FOR ALL CHRISTIANS WHO BEAR CHRIST TO THE WORLD. 
REFLECTING: CAN I SAY WITH MARY, "BE IT DONE UNTO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL"?
PRAYING: BLESSED MOTHER, PRAY THAT I MIGHT ALWAYS LIVE IN UNION WITH YOUR SON JESUS.

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY -- HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

A FEAST CALLED THE CONCEPTION OF MARY AROSE IN THE EASTERN CHURCH IN THE SEVENTH CENTURY, AND IT CAME TO THE WEST IN THE EIGHTH CENTURY. IN THE ELEVENTH CENTURY IT RECEIVED ITS PRESENT NAME: THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY IT BECAME A FEAST OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH. IN 1854 PIUS IX GAVE THE INFALLIBLE STATEMENT: �THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, IN THE FIRST INSTANT OF HER CONCEPTION, BY A SINGULAR GRACE AND PRIVILEGE GRANTED BY ALMIGHTY GOD, IN VIEW OF THE MERITS OF JESUS CHRIST, THE SAVIOR OF THE HUMAN RACE, WAS PRESERVED FREE FROM ALL STAIN OF ORIGINAL SIN.� WHEN THE VATICAN II COUNCIL DISCUSSED THE ROLE OF MARY IN GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION, THEY MADE THE DECISION TO INCLUDE HER IN "THE DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH," THE DOCTRINE OF THE MYSTICAL BODY, THE CHURCH. WHILE MARY IS "CLEARLY THE MOTHER OF THE MEMBERS OF CHRIST," SHE IS A "WHOLLY UNIQUE MEMBER OF THE CHURCH," AN "OUTSTANDING MODEL IN FAITH AND CHARITY." THROUGH HER OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WILL, SHE IS THE "NEW EVE WHO PLACED HER FAITH, NOT IN THE SERPENT OF OLD BUT IN GOD'S MESSENGER WITHOUT WAVERING IN DOUBT." THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE CHURCH IMITATES MARY'S OBEDIENCE AND CHARITY. THROUGH CHRISTIAN BAPTISM, THE CHURCH BRINGS FORTH CHILDREN WHO ARE "CONCEIVED OF THE SPIRIT AND BORN OF GOD" (LUMEN GENTIUM, CH. VIII).

HANUKKAH BEGINS AT SUNSET

HANUKKAH STARTS ON THE HEBREW CALENDAR DATE OF 25 KISLEV, AND LASTS FOR EIGHT DAYS. HANUKKAH IS A MINOR FEAST, BUT IT IS NONETHELESS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE JEWISH HERITAGE AND HISTORY. MANY PEOPLE THINK OF HANUKKAH AS "THE JEWISH CHRISTMAS," BUT TWO HOLIDAYS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER, EXCEPT THAT THEY'RE CELEBRATED AT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME OF YEAR.  THE HANUKKAH STORY INVOLVES A GROUP OF WARRIORS LED BY JUDAS MACCABEUS. IN 164 BC  THEY DROVE THE SYRIANS OUT OF ISRAEL AND RECLAIMED AND PURIFIED THE TEMPLE, WHICH HAD BEEN DESECRATED BY KING ANTIOCHUS IV. ACCORDING TO A STORY IN THE TALMUD, WHEN THE MACCABEES RETOOK THE TEMPLE, THE JEWS FOUND ONLY ENOUGH OIL LEFT TO LIGHT THE MENORAH -- THE EIGHT BRANCHED CANDELABRUM -- FOR ONE NIGHT. MIRACULOUSLY, THE OIL LASTED FOR EIGHT NIGHTS, LONG ENOUGH FOR A NEW SUPPLY OF OIL TO BE PREPARED. THE TEMPLE WAS REDEDICATED, AND THE JEWS CELEBRATED THE MIRACLE WITH AN EIGHT-DAY FESTIVAL (1 MC 4:36-59).

LIKE ALL JEWISH HOLIDAYS, HANUKKAH ("DEDICATION") BEGINS AT SUNDOWN. AFTER SUNDOWN, THE FIRST CANDLE OF  THE NINE-BRANCH CANDELABRUM (MENORAH) IS LIT BY A SHAMASH, OR SERVICE CANDLE, AT THE CENTER OF THE MENORAH. PRAYERS ARE SAID EACH NIGHT DURING THE LIGHTING UNTIL ALL EIGHT CANDLES ARE LIT. FAMILIES SING SONGS, PLAY GAMES AND OPEN GIFTS, WHICH MAY ADD TO THE IMPRESSION THAT IT'S THE JEWISH VERSION OF CHRISTMAS. FAMILIES EAT LATKES (POTATO PANCAKES) FRIED IN OIL TO COMMEMORATE THE "MIRACLE," SUFGANIYOT (JELLY-FILLED DOUGHNUTS) TO REMIND THEM OF GOD'S SWEETNESS, AND DAIRY FOODS SUCH AS CHEESE AND CREAM. THEY GATHER WITH FAMILY AND  FRIENDS IN THE WARMTH OF THE LIGHT SHED BY THE MENORAH, JUST AS THEIR ANCESTORS DID LONG AGO. FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE CHRISTMAS TO EPIPHANY CUSTOMS 

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Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous deeds

‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord.’
Mary is confronted by the angel Gabriel with the message that something quite extraordinary is going to happen to her—she is to give birth to God’s son. The angel provides no explanation for this; only the reassuring words: ‘Don’t be afraid.’

Mary is puzzled. She doesn’t know what lies in store for her. She cannot understand fully the implications of Gabriel’s words. Yet her immediate response is, ‘Yes. I’ll do what you ask.’ When we are puzzled by what is happening to us in our lives—by what God is asking of us—let us allow this example of Mary to reassure us that God stands near us each day.

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December 8
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern Church in the seventh century. It came to the West in the eighth century. In the 11th century it received its present name, the Immaculate Conception. In the 18th century it became a feast of the universal Church. It is now recognized as a solemnity.

In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.”

It took a long time for this doctrine to develop. While many Fathers and Doctors of the Church considered Mary the greatest and holiest of the saints, they often had difficulty in seeing Mary as sinless—either at her conception or throughout her life. This is one of the Church teachings that arose more from the piety of the faithful than from the insights of brilliant theologians. Even such champions of Mary as Bernard and Thomas Aquinas could not see theological justification for this teaching.

Two Franciscans, William of Ware and Blessed John Duns Scotus, helped develop the theology. They point out that Mary’s Immaculate Conception enhances Jesus’ redemptive work. Other members of the human race are cleansed from original sin after birth. In Mary, Jesus’ work was so powerful as to prevent original sin at the outset.

Comment:

In Luke 1:28 the angel Gabriel, speaking on God’s behalf, addresses Mary as “full of grace” (or “highly favored”). In that context this phrase means that Mary is receiving all the special divine help necessary for the task ahead. However, the Church grows in understanding with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit led the Church, especially non-theologians, to the insight that Mary had to be the most perfect work of God next to the Incarnation. Or rather, Mary’s intimate association with the Incarnation called for the special involvement of God in Mary’s whole life. The logic of piety helped God’s people to believe that Mary was full of grace and free of sin from the first moment of her existence. Moreover, this great privilege of Mary is the highlight of all that God has done in Jesus. Rightly understood, the incomparable holiness of Mary shows forth the incomparable goodness of God.

Quote:

“[Mary] gave to the world the Life that renews all things, and she was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.

“It is no wonder, then, that the usage prevailed among the holy Fathers whereby they called the mother of God entirely holy and free from all stain of sin, fashioned by the Holy Spirit into a kind of new substance and new creature. Adorned from the first instant of her conception with the splendors of an entirely unique holiness, the Virgin of Nazareth is, on God’s command, greeted by an angel messenger as ‘full of grace’ (cf. Luke 1:28). To the heavenly messenger she replies: ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word’ (Luke 1:38)” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 56).

Patron Saint of:

Brazil
United States

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St. Romaric

Feastday: December 8

Died: 653

In the account of St Amatus of Remiremont it is related how he brought about the conversion to God of a Merovingian nobleman named Romaric, who became a monk at Luxeuil; and how they afterwards went together to the estate of Romaric at Habendum in the Vosges, and established the monastery which was later known as Remiremont (Romarici Mons). The father of Romaric had lost his life and his lands at the hands of Queen Brunehilda, and his young son became a homeless wanderer; but at the time of his meeting St Amatus, Romaric was a person of distinction at the court of Clotaire II, with considerable property and a number of serfs. These he enfranchised, and it is said that when he was tonsured at Luxeuil several of these newly freed men presented themselves to the abbot for the same purpose. Remiremont was founded in 620 and St Amatus was its first abbot, but his duties soon devolved upon St Romaric, who at the time of his death had governed for thirty years. Among the early recruits was the friend of Romaric, St Arnulfus of Metz, who about 629 came to end his days in a nearby hermitage. Shortly before his death St Romaric was disturbed by the news that Grimoald, the son of another old friend, Bd Pepin of Landen, was plotting to exclude the young prince Dagobert from the Austrasian throne. The aged abbot made his way to Metz, where he remonstrated with Grimoald and warned the nobles who supported him. They heard him quietly, treated him with courtesy, and sent him back to his monastery. Three days later St Romaric died.

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LECTIO: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE B.V.MARY

Lectio: 

 Thursday, December 8, 2011  

Luke 1, 26-38  

The Immaculate Conception of the B.V. Mary
8th December

The Annunciation

1. LECTIO

 a) Initial Prayer:

 Rejoice, Oh Virgin Mary,
the star of Jacob is already arising,
The Scriptures are fulfilled today;
The Lord is coming like a promising cloud.

 Our God is coming, he is not in silence;
be attentive to his greeting.
Sweet is the word of his lips,
noble the design of his heart.

 It shines like the wings of the dove
the vestment of his messenger;
it descends like the zephyr in summer
on you, promising, is its comfort.

 Our God displays his force,
in your flesh he finds repose;
in you he finds his sanctuary,
praise him and love him forever.

 Behold, his retinue appears,
before him, justice marches.
He will subdue the pride of the powerful,
and render vigour to the humble.

 He will spread out his mercy
on the men who fear his name;
humble servant of the Lord,
weave the praise of Love.

 b)  Reading of the Gospel: Luke 1, 26-38

 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favour! The Lord is with you.' She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.' Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.' Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.' And the angel left her.

 c) A moment of silence:

 so that the Word of God may enter into our hearts and enlighten our lives.

 2. MEDITATIO

 a) A key to the reading:

 Though we take again the themes of Matthew and Mark, the Gospel of Luke is an original composition under many aspects. The Evangelist inserts into his narrative new material in regard to the other Gospel narratives. In the first two chapters which deal with the infancy of Jesus, Luke follows the Jewish tradition, with many direct and indirect references to the Old Testament. The Theology, the symbolism and the whole of the account of the infancy of Jesus have and find their roots in the Semitic world, different in many verses from the world and the Greek thought. The Evangelist places the beginning of his narrative in the milieu of the ‘anawim, the poor of the Lord, that is, those who are submitted with altruism to God’s Will, firm in faith that the Lord will send them salvation in the opportune time. To the ‘anawim the Lord promises to send the Messiah, sent to bring the news to the afflicted, to soothe the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, release to those in prison, to proclaim a year of favour from Yahweh and a day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn, to give to Zion’s mourners...” (is 61, 1 ff).This promise of God is fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth who entering “into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day as he usually did” (Lk 4, 16) proclaims that the promise of God pronounced by Isaiah “has been fulfilled today” (Lk 4, 21) in him. Only the ‘anawim can accept from the Son of Joseph, the carpenter and of Mary (Lk 4, 22; Mt 13, 53-58; Mk 6, 1-5; Jn 1, 45) the Good News of salvation, the others unfortunately are scandalized because of him. The Messiah is humble and sweet, “his mouth” pronounces “words of grace” (Lk 4, 22), and this is why in order to accept him it is necessary to prepare oneself, enter into oneself to accept the promised One of Israel. This is why the Lord admonishes by means of the Prophet: “Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the earth, who obey the commands. Seek uprightness, seek humility: you may perhaps find shelter, on the Day of Yahweh’s anger” (Zp 1, 3).

In this context, “In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in 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). This Virgin is one of the ‘anawim to whom the Lord reveals his salvation. With her are found two other ‘anawim “ who were advanced in years” (Lk 1, 7), “a priest called “Zechariah” and “Elizabeth who was childless” and therefore had no children (Lk 1, 5-7). Also to these two dishonoured (Gen 30, 33; I Sam 1, 5-8); 2 Sam 6, 23; Ho 9, 11) the salvation of the Lord is announced. Unfortunately in Jerusalem, in the temple, during the liturgy, place of the revelation, of the power and of the glory of God, this Good News was not accepted by the priest (Lk 1, 8-23). But the Word of God is not bound and it cannot be limited. In fact, the Holy One of Israel says: “For as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and do not return before watering the earth, fertilizing it and making it germinate to provide seed for the sower and food to eat, so it is with the word that goes from my mouth: it will not return to me unfulfilled or before having carried out my good pleasure and having achieved what it was sent to do”. (Is 55, 10-11). This is why Elizabeth “in her old age has conceived a son and, she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God”. (Lk 1, 36-37). This will be the event offered to Mary as a sign of the “power of the Most High”. (Lk 1, 35) which will come down upon her like a shadow to conceive the Son of God through the Holy Spirit who will “descend” upon her (Lk 1, 34-35). The Son will be named Jesus, “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end” (Lk 1, 31-33). These words of the angel echo or evoke the same addressed to Acaz: “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, whom she will call Immanuel” (Is 7, 14).

That is why after John was conceived, that is “in the sixth month” (Lk 1, 26) the Good News was received “in a city of Galilee, called Nazareth” (Lk 1, 26) by a young girl, a “virgin promised spouse” (Lk 1, 27). “Nazareth” and “Mary” are in contrast with “Jerusalem” and “priest”; just as the phrase: “he went in” with the word “temple”. the Lord reveals himself in humble places and is accepted by humble people from whom, in the judgment of men, “nothing good can come” (Jn 1, 45). Mary is invited to rejoice: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you” (Lk 1, 28). The presence of the Lord in the midst of his people is the occasion of joy because the presence of the Lord bears salvation and blessing. The invitation of the angel is addressed to the whole People of God in the person of Mary. That is why, the whole People of God is called to rejoice, to be glad in the Lord, their Saviour. It is the Messianic joy which is announced to all: “Cry out and shout for joy, you who live in Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is among you in his greatness”(Is 12, 6); “Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! Yahweh has repealed your sentence; he has turned your enemy away. Yahweh is king among you, Israel, you have nothing more to fear...” (Zp 3, 14-15 ff); “Rejoice, exult daughter of Zion, because, behold, I come to live among you” (Zc 2, 14).

The conception of Jesus is a new event, the primacy of the future new creation brought about by the generating power of God who comes to encounter the impossibility of conceiving of Mary because she knows no man (Lk 1, 34). The shadow which the Most High extends on Mary recalls the cloud which accompanied the people in the desert during the day (Ex 13, 22), which overshadowed the Mount Sinai revealing the Glory of the Lord during six days (Ex 19, 16; 24, 17). And also a sign of the protection of God, extended to the just who invokes the name of the Lord and places himself in the hands of God during the trial (Ps 17, 8; 57, 2; 140, 8). In creation, the Spirit of God blew over the water, the sign of the creating power of the word of God (Gen 1, 2).

God exceeds every human capacity, nothing is impossible for him (Lk 1, 477; Gen 18, 14; Jer 32, 27). Before the Lord of joy, of life and of salvation, Mary accepts his generating and creative word: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1, 38).

 b) Questions to orientate the meditation and make it relevant:

 ● The Lord reveals himself to the ‘anawim of his people. According to you who are the contemporary ‘anawim among us?
● Many times we feel that we are in a world hostile to God’s revelation. It also seems that he has become silent, that he no longer reveals his word which gives life. Is this true? If he still speaks to us, where can I find his living word? How can I accept it?
● The power of evil seems to envelop our restless world. The diverse modalities of oppression seem precisely to oppress also the God of joy, of freedom, of mercy. Which is your attitude before this reality? Do you feel that today’s text inspires you a just attitude before an impossible situation?
● Which do you think is the characteristic of Mary’s attitude? Does this reveal something of your own life?

 3. ORATIO

 a) Canticle of Mary:

 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant. 
Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me. 
Holy is his name,
and his faithful love extends age after age 
to those who fear him.
He has used the power of his arm, 
he has routed the arrogant of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones 
and raised high the lowly.
He has filled the starving with good things, 
sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, 
mindful of his faithful love
- according to the promise he made to our ancestors - 
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.

b) Moments for a prayerful silence

4. CONTEMPLATIO

[In the contemplation], in fact, to strong men it is granted to recollect themselves when they desire to remain with themselves, to assiduously cultivate the sprouts of virtue and nourish themselves, happily, from the fruits of Paradise. Here the eye of the serene gaze, is acquired, which wounds the Spouse with love, and through its transparency and purity God is seen. Here is practiced a laborious leisure time and the rest in a quiet action. Here, because of the tiredness of the struggle, God gives to his athletes the desired reward, that is, the peace which the world ignores, and the joy in the Holy Spirit. 
This is that Rachel who is coming, of a beautiful aspect, which Jacob, even though less fertile of children, loved more than Lia, certainly more fecund but of bleary eyes. In fact, the sons of contemplation are less numerous in regard to those of the action; nevertheless, Joseph and Benjamin, more than the other brothers, are loved by the father.
This is that best part which Mary has chosen and which will not be taken from her.

(From the Letter of Saint Bruno to Rudolph il Verde).

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