Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 8, 2024

Date:   Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter/Solemnity of the Annunciation of the LORD

 Scripture Text:  Luke1:26-38

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, full of grace! 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.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, is fittingly the account of the Annunciation as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. The Angel Gabriel comes to Mary in Nazareth and announces to her that the LORD has chosen her to be the mother of the Son of God. Mary is troubled by this proclamation because she knows she is a virgin, but Gabriel explains that the child will be conceived through the power of the LORD in the person of the Holy Spirit. As further reassurance that nothing is impossible for the LORD, Gabriel announces that Mary’s older cousin Elizabth has conceived and is expecting. The choice was always Mary’s. And Mary responds with her great “fiat” – “May it be done to me according to your word.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I believe with all my mind and heart in Jesus’ identity as Son of God conceived by Mary through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit? Do I believe that nothing is impossible for the LORD? Am I willing to serve the LORD even when it is difficult and others may not understand and misjudge me?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, your love for us led to your choice of Mary as the mother of your beloved Son conceived through the Spirit. You sent your beloved Son to dwell among us, to take on our human nature, to show us through His example the life we are called to live, and to give His life for ours. It was your will that He selflessly sacrifice himself upon a cross for our sins even though He himself was without sin. This love is hard for us to comprehend as is Mary’s love for You that led her to accept the role of Jesus’ mother, the role of mother of the Son of God. Send your Spirit, LORD, to strengthen our resolve to live as You created us to live and our faith to believe that for You nothing is impossible. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.