Lenten Meditations 2017

Saturday of the third week of Lent
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Reading 1 Is 7:10-14; 8:10
Reading 2 Heb 10:4-10
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."

Meditation:

Mark your calendars, today March 25th, we are exactly 9 months from Christmas. Christmas? We haven't even celebrated Easter yet, so why bring that up, Deacon, you may ask? It's because today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation.
​
We all know the story: The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is to be the mother of the "Son of God".

This news would be terrifying, head-spinning, earth moving for anyone, much more so for a teenaged maiden already betrothed to a man named Joseph. It flooded her mind with questions and concerns; after all this was a potential life threatening decision: for this scandal she could be stoned to death.

But after listening with mind, and heart and spirit, Mary said: “ I am the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say. “

Can you and I respond like Mary: "Let it be done to me as you say"? Do we trust God to bring good when all we can see ahead is bad? Lord I believe, help my unbelief (Mk. 9:24)

Remember the angel's greeting: "Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you" and "Do not fear".

THE LORD IS WITH YOU.
DO NOT FEAR.

Peace.