Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of
the Blessed Virgin Mary
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.
AlleluiaSEE LK 1:28
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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.
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... The knot of Eve's disobedience was
untied by Mary's obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief,
Mary loosened by her faith" (from Adv.
haeres 3.22.4, by Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons, 130-200 AD).
Faith is the key that unlocks the power of God's
kingdom in our lives
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.
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 the grace to say "yes" to his
will and to his transforming work in our lives
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?
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."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: God borrows Mary's flesh to lead humanity to
glory, by an anonymous early author from the Greek church
"Revealing to you the pre-eternal counsel,
Gabriel came and stood before you, maid, and in greeting said, 'Rejoice, earth
that has not been sown; rejoice, burning bush that remains unconsumed; Rejoice,
unsearchable depth; Rejoice, bridge that leads to heaven; Rejoice, ladder
raised on high that Jacob saw; Rejoice, divine jar of manna; Rejoice,
deliverance from the curse; Rejoice, restoration of Adam, the Lord is with you!'
"'You appeared to me in the form of a man,' said the undefiled maid to the chief of the heavenly hosts. 'How then do you speak to me of things that pass human power? For you have said that God shall be with me and shall take up his dwelling in my womb. How shall I become the spacious habitation and the holy place of him that rides upon the cherubim? (Psalm 18:10) Do not amuse me with deceit; for I have not known pleasure, I have not entered into wedlock. How then shall I bear a child?'
"Then the bodiless angel replied, 'When God so wills, the order of nature is overcome, and what is beyond humankind comes to pass. Believe that my sayings are true, all-holy and immaculate lady.' And she cried aloud, 'Let it be to me according to your word, and I shall bear him that is without flesh, who shall borrow flesh from me, that through this mingling he may lead humankind up to his ancient glory, for he alone has power so to do!'"(excerpt from STICHERA OF THE ANNUNCIATION)
"'You appeared to me in the form of a man,' said the undefiled maid to the chief of the heavenly hosts. 'How then do you speak to me of things that pass human power? For you have said that God shall be with me and shall take up his dwelling in my womb. How shall I become the spacious habitation and the holy place of him that rides upon the cherubim? (Psalm 18:10) Do not amuse me with deceit; for I have not known pleasure, I have not entered into wedlock. How then shall I bear a child?'
"Then the bodiless angel replied, 'When God so wills, the order of nature is overcome, and what is beyond humankind comes to pass. Believe that my sayings are true, all-holy and immaculate lady.' And she cried aloud, 'Let it be to me according to your word, and I shall bear him that is without flesh, who shall borrow flesh from me, that through this mingling he may lead humankind up to his ancient glory, for he alone has power so to do!'"(excerpt from STICHERA OF THE ANNUNCIATION)
SOLEMNITY OF
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
(Patronal Feast Day of the USA) Holy Day of Obligation
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, LUKE 1:26-38
(Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 98; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12)
(Patronal Feast Day of the USA) Holy Day of Obligation
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 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).
TO KNOW: After centuries of waiting for the long-expected 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 had found favor with God and would bear a son who was to be named Jesus (Hebrew, Yeshua, "Yahweh saves"). Mary was deeply troubled by the angel's message as she was a virgin, but she 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 prayer that Jesus taught: "Thy will be done." Mary's disposition of humility, faithfulness and praise are necessary virtues for all Christians who bear Christ to the world.
TO LOVE: Can I say with Mary, "Be it done unto me according to your will"?
TO SERVE: Blessed Mother, pray that I might always live in union with your son Jesus.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Immaculate Conception became a feast of the universal Church in 1854. Pius IX gave this 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 Vatican II Council discussed the role of Mary in God's plan of salvation, they made the decision to include her in the doctrine of the Mystical Body, the Church. Mary is "clearly the mother of the members of Christ," a "wholly unique member of the church," and 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" (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, Ch. VIII).
Friday 8
December 2017
Advent Season of Creation. Immaculate Conception.
Genesis 3:9-15, 20. Psalm 97(98):1-4. Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12.
Luke 1:26-38.
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous deeds —
Psalm 97(98):1-4.
‘There is nothing that God cannot do.’
In a time, not unlike our own, when many people despaired and
faith became hard, Isaiah promises better days when people will live generously
and attentively:
‘After shadow and darkness, the eyes of the blind will see. But
the lowly will rejoice in the Lord and scoffers vanish, and all be destroyed
who are disposed to do evil’.
People who are poor will be lifted up and see what has been
hidden by misery. Others will be led to see what has been in front of their
noses. We can pray that we may see what we miss both because of our
discouragement and because of our fixed opinions.
The Gospel story makes it clear that to be cured of blindness we
must want desperately to see and to ask for it. It is a gift from God and not
something we can secure for ourselves. The blind men come shouting, and Jesus
asks them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?” Then he touched their eyes saying,
“Your faith deserves it so let this be done for you.”. Their wholehearted
desire for healing and trust is a reproach and encouragement for our more
hesitant desires.
The whole of Laudato Si has an urgency that asks us if we really
believe. Pope Francis is aware of the apathy, self-interest and blindness that
prevents us from seeing the urgency of acting to rescue the world.
‘It must be said that some committed and prayerful Christians,
with the excuse of realism and pragmatism, tend to ridicule expressions of
concern for the environment. Others are passive; they choose not to change
their habits and thus become inconsistent. So what they all need is an
“ecological conversion”, whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus
Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them. Living
our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of
virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian
experience.’
To us he asks, do you believe that people can be led to see, to
act and to be effective? It is a fair question. If we are doubtful, we have
much to pray for.
SOLEMNITY OF THE
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
"The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of
her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue
of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from
all stain of original sin." (Pius IX, Ineffabilis
Deus, 1854)
In 1854, Pope Pius IX's solemn declaration, "Ineffabilis Deus," clarified with finality the long-held belief of the Church that Mary was conceived free from original sin.
Mary was granted this extraordinary privilege because of Her unique role in history as the Mother of God. That is, She received the gift of salvation in Christ from the very moment of her conception.
Even though Mary is unique in all humanity for being born without sin, She is held up by the Church as a model for all humanity in Her holiness and Her purity, in Her willingness to accept the Plan of God for Her.
Every person is called to recognize and respond to God’s call, to their own vocation, in order to carry out God’s plan for their life and fulfill the mission prepared for them since before the beginning of time.
Mary’s “Let it be done to me according to Thy Word,” in response of the Angel Gabriel’s greeting is the response required of all Christians to God’s Plan.
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a time to celebrate the great joy of God’s gift to humanity in Mary, and to recognize with greater clarity, the truth that each and every human being has been created by God to fulfill a particular mission that he and only he can fulfill.
“The word of the Lord came to me thus: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you." (Jeremiah 1:5-6)
In 1854, Pope Pius IX's solemn declaration, "Ineffabilis Deus," clarified with finality the long-held belief of the Church that Mary was conceived free from original sin.
Mary was granted this extraordinary privilege because of Her unique role in history as the Mother of God. That is, She received the gift of salvation in Christ from the very moment of her conception.
Even though Mary is unique in all humanity for being born without sin, She is held up by the Church as a model for all humanity in Her holiness and Her purity, in Her willingness to accept the Plan of God for Her.
Every person is called to recognize and respond to God’s call, to their own vocation, in order to carry out God’s plan for their life and fulfill the mission prepared for them since before the beginning of time.
Mary’s “Let it be done to me according to Thy Word,” in response of the Angel Gabriel’s greeting is the response required of all Christians to God’s Plan.
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a time to celebrate the great joy of God’s gift to humanity in Mary, and to recognize with greater clarity, the truth that each and every human being has been created by God to fulfill a particular mission that he and only he can fulfill.
“The word of the Lord came to me thus: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you." (Jeremiah 1:5-6)
LECTIO DIVINA: IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION OF THE B.V.MARY
Lectio Divina:
Friday, December 8, 2017
The Annunciation (Luke 1, 26-38)
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.
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 its comfort.
the vestment of His messenger;
it descends like the zephyr in summer
on you, promising 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 vigor to the humble.
before Him, justice marches.
He will subdue the pride of the powerful,
and render vigor 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 favor! 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 favor. 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 for 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
these themes are also in Matthew and Mark, the Gospel of Luke is an original
composition in many ways. The Evangelist inserts into his narrative new
material relative 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 ways from the world and
Greek thought. The Evangelist places the beginning of his narrative in the
milieu of the anawim, the
poor of the Lord, who submit to God’s will, firm in faith that the Lord
will send them salvation at 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 favor from Yahweh and a day of vengeance for our God, to
comfort all who mourn, to give to Zion’s mourners...” (Is 61: 1-3). 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, while the others are
unfortunately 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 and 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). The salvation of the
Lord is also announced to these two (Gen 30: 33; I Sam 1: 5-8); 2 Sam 6:
23; Ho 9: 11). Unfortunately, in the temple, during the liturgy, which is a
place of the revelation of the power and 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 power of the Holy Spirit (Lk 1: 34-35). The Son who will be named
Jesus “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 those addressed to Ahaz : “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 (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 to a spouse” (Lk 1: 27). “Nazareth” and “Mary” are in contrast to
“Jerusalem” and “priest”; just as the phrase “he went in” is 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 for
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 are called to rejoice and be glad
in the Lord their Savior. 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); “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 counter the
impossibility of Mary’s conceiving 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 Mount Sinai
revealing the Glory of the Lord during six days (Ex 19: 16; 24: 17). It is also
a sign of the protection of God, extended to the just, who invoke the name of
the Lord and place themselves in the hands of God during trials (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 1:37; Gen
18:14; Jer 32:27). Before the Lord of joy, life and 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 :38).
b) Questions to orient the meditation and make it relevant:
●
The Lord reveals Himself to the anawim
of his people. Who do you feel are the contemporary anawim among us today?
● Many times we feel that we are in a world hostile to God’s revelation. It also seems that He has become silent and no longer reveals His word. Is this true? If He still speaks to us, where can I find His life giving word? How can I accept it?
● The power of evil seems to envelop our restless world. The many means of oppression seem to oppress the God of joy, freedom, and mercy. How do you feel about this? Do you feel that today’s text inspires you while facing a seemingly impossible situation?
● What do you think is 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 and no longer reveals His word. Is this true? If He still speaks to us, where can I find His life giving word? How can I accept it?
● The power of evil seems to envelop our restless world. The many means of oppression seem to oppress the God of joy, freedom, and mercy. How do you feel about this? Do you feel that today’s text inspires you while facing a seemingly impossible situation?
● What do you think is 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 Savior;
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 Savior;
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) A moment for a prayerful silence
4. CONTEMPLATIO
For here men of strong will can enter into themselves and remain
there as much as they like, diligently cultivating the seeds of virtue and
eating the fruits of paradise with joy.
Here they can acquire the eye that wounds the Bridegroom with
love, by the limpidity of its gaze, and whose purity allows them to see God
himself.
Here they can observe a busy leisure and rest in quiet activity.
Here also God crowns his athletes for their stern struggle with
the hoped-for reward: a peace unknown to the world and joy in the Holy
Spirit.
Such a way of life is exemplified by Rachel, who was preferred by Jacob for her beauty, even though she bore fewer children than Leah, with her less penetrating eyes. Contemplation, to be sure has fewer offspring than does action, and yet Joseph and Benjamin were the favourites of their father. This life is the best part chosen by Mary, never to be taken away from her.
Such a way of life is exemplified by Rachel, who was preferred by Jacob for her beauty, even though she bore fewer children than Leah, with her less penetrating eyes. Contemplation, to be sure has fewer offspring than does action, and yet Joseph and Benjamin were the favourites of their father. This life is the best part chosen by Mary, never to be taken away from her.
(From
the Letter of Saint Bruno to Rudolph il Verde).
(The
author’s translation:
[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.)
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