Prayer of the Day

Second Week of Easter – The Annunciation of The Lord

April 4th, 2016

Gabriel’s Annunciation, of the Birth of Jesus to Mary in Nazareth.  (Luke  1 :26 – 38) “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 so highly favoured! The Lord is with you’’.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, the angel said to her, ‘’Mary, do not be afraid, you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High’’. Mary said to the angel,’’ But how can this come about, since I am a virgin? ’’The Holy Spirit will come upon you’’ the angel answered 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.”

Luke’s emphases is on the virginal Birth, Mary’s conception is through the power of the Holy Spirit. The angel’s greeting; “Rejoice so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”  The Immaculate Conception is God’s gift to Mary. She is the model believer graced by God. Jesus is the Son of God at his very conception, Mary’s conception is virginal.

There are the contrasts, Jesus and John, both are extraordinary. John is great before God. Jesus is the Son of God whose reign will last forever. The Magnificat, God’s kingdom has come, for the outcasts, he fills the starving with good things.