Daily Word Of God
Luke 1:26b-32, 34-35, 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, you who enjoy God’s favour! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him 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.’
Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?’ 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.’
Mary said, ‘You see before you the Lord’s servant, let it happen to me as you have said.’ And the angel left her.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Mary, at the time of the Annunciation, was no more than a teenager. By choosing to accept God’ Will, Mary risked rejection from her family, her betrothed and being stoned to death by her townspeople. Yet, she accepted God’s Will totally, courageously and unconditionally.
- Even before Jesus was conceived, Mary was faced with a serious dilemma that affected her whole life. Will I obey God’s Will or will I take the way that has least pain?
- Ponder on the reason why we are willing or unwilling to respond to God’s Will like Mary who said, “I am the Lord’s servant.”