Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 8, 2023

Date: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture Text: Luke 1:26-38

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 reading for today brings us Luke’s account of the Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus to Mary by the angel Gabriel. It reveals Jesus’ true identity as the Son of the LORD Most High and the awaited and promised Messiah. Mary’s response of “How can this be” is not one of doubt but one of seeking clarification. Understanding the question, Gabriel shares with Mary that the conception of Jesus will be through the power of the Holy Spirit. And Mary’s role as mother of our Savior is established with her “fiat” of “May it be done to me according to your word.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How do I respond to the LORD’s guidance in my life? Do I listen to the LORD’s voice within me? Do I respond with loving faith?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You chose the Blessed Virgin Mary as the mother of your only begotten Son. Her faith in You and her openness to your will allowed her response that changed the world and the trajectory of human history. Send your Spirit to strengthen our faith and hope so that our love for You and for your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, might produce fruit. Make of us the children You created us to be and the disciples Christ calls us to be. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.