THE WORD
Is 7,10-14 / Lk 1,26-38
In the sixth month, 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, favored one! 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.
IN OTHER WORDS
A European lived in Botswana for many years, but had to leave the country after a falling-out with his wife and children. He sought refuge in Kenya but overstayed after his visa expired, got caught, and was jailed. Going back to his country of birth was not an option as he didn’t know any living family member there anymore. Besides, the country had just passed a law which terminated the citizenship of anyone who had been living in another country for a number of years. No country to call his own, the man was homeless, penniless, and lost.
It is difficult to live with nobody to call family and no place to call home. Yet many exiles, migrants and refugees are in this situation. The 2013 UNHR figure puts the number of refugees at 16.7 million. Living as a refugee is by far one of the most humiliating, shattering and defenseless experiences a person can go through.
Today’s gospel tells us of Angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary and the news he brought to her. Mary’s ‘ at’ to become the Mother of our Savior was indeed good news to Jesus, the Good News to us all. By accepting to bear the Messiah in her womb, Mary saw to it that the Savior would have a family to call His own and a place to call His home.
We are in the fourth week of Advent, and Christmas Day is nearing. In this season, we remember our families and loved ones and think of home. We are blessed if we still have them with us and if we are still living in a place we call home. Mary gifted Jesus with family and home. May we do the same to others, not just to our loved ones.
- Fr. Sisoy Cellan, SVD | Kenya
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
