December 08, 2017

Gospel: Lk 1:26-38
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God, to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a virgin, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin‘s name was Mary.
The angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!“ Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.
But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son; and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great, and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever; and his reign shall have no end.“
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?“ And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born of you shall be called Son of God. Even your relative, Elizabeth, is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child; and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible.“
Then Mary said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.“ And the angel left her.

REFLECTION:
Like Mary, all Christians are called for a purpose. They received the same grace like that of Mary. Mary received before her birth through the Immaculate Conception. Christians receive it during their baptismal birth. Through baptism, Christians receive the “Baptismal Innocence.“ They are washed of all their sins. They become pure and clean.
The difference between us and Mary is not that Mary was chosen while we are not; rather, it is how we responded to God‘s call. Mary responded fully, unconditionally and did not allow herself to be contaminated by sin. We responded with hesitancy and half-heartedly. Tempted, we sinned. God asks of us. God has chosen us all. Mary had a big “YES“, ours is small “yes.“
The angel greeted Mary; “Rejoice! Do not fear, God has looked kindly on you.“ “You will conceive and bear a son.“ Mary was troubled. However, she assured: “nothing is impossible with God.“ Many times, we have heard the same greetings from God, inviting us to a church ministry, apostolate or office. We hesitated, feeling unworthy of the call, of the position. God many times assured us too that with Him we can do much. The moment we trust God, we begin to experience joy and fulfillment. Mary carried out God‘s plan for her through her response of trust, “let it be done to me as you said.“