Gospel: Luke 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.
Reflections
“the Lord is with you!”
When St. John Paul II assumed the papacy the among first words that we hear from him are these: “Do not be afraid”. These are strong words from a spiritual leader. This will signal to all that fear will have no bearing in our faith journey.
Our Gospel today is also anchored on the words of the Angel Gabriel: “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.” With these words of the angel, Mary could only utter the words of faith and trust in the Lord. “Behold I am the hand- maid of the Lord. May it be done unto e according to your word.”
May we also be anchored on the very words of the Scriptures whenever we are confronted with fear and anxiety. This is a challenge to always believe in the Word who is Jesus himself.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019
