Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Patronal Feastday of the United States of America
Lectionary: 689
Lectionary: 689
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 meC
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.
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 meC
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 PsalmPS 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.
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 2EPH 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.
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.
GospelLK 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.
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.
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."
 Holiness Is Just a “Yes” Away! |
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Immaculate
Conception of Mary
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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.
Petition: 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 Christ-like.
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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SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, LUKE 1:26-38
(Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 98; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12)
(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 was Mary (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's message, 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.
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
The Immaculate Conception 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." By 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).
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous
deeds
‘Let it be done as you have said.’Parents encourage their children to make good choices - particularly because they know what it is like to live with the consequences of their own choices. The Scriptures are filled with stories of people making choices—to live God’s way or to live their own way. Adam and Eve chose their own way. Mary chose God’s way. Both choices had consequences, not only for themselves but for all around them. Neither was an easy choice. Only one way is life-giving and healing - God’s way. Mary’s faithfulness to God invites us to respond willingly and with an open heart to what God asks. Her faithfulness continues to be a gift to every one of us.
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 (August 20) and Thomas Aquinas (January 28) 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.
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.
“[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)” (Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 56).
Patron Saint of:
Brazil
United States
Brazil
United States
LECTIO DIVINA:
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE B.V.MARY
Lectio:
Monday, December 9, 2013
The Annunciation (Luke 1, 26-38)
1. LECTIO
a) Initial Prayer:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Luke 1, 26-38
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a
town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named
Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 He went in
and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favour! The Lord is with you.'
29 She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting
could mean, 30 but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won
God's favour. 31 Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you
must name him Jesus. 32 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; 33 he will
rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.' 34 Mary
said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of
man?' 35 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. 36 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, 37 for nothing is impossible to God.' 38 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?
● 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.
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.
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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