Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Theme: The coming of the Messiah
Today as we celebrate the Solemnity Annunciation of the Lord, we also celebrate the world day of the unborn child. This celebration in a special way reminds us about the origin of our salvation story. This is seen in the response of our mother Mary to the Angel who brought the message of the coming of Jesus Christ. We celebrate today, the ‘yes’ of our mother Mary. She accepted Gods will and was willing to go through with it, not minding the consequences of her yes to the Angel. In faith, she obeyed the will of God for her. The positive disposition and the readiness to accept the will of God for herself is worthy of emulation, by all of us who bear the name Christian. As children of God, we have to be courageous like our Mother Mary to always say yes to God. Today is also a good opportunity for us to pray for all unborn babies and also for families looking for the fruit of the womb; that through the intercession of our Mother Mary, they will be made joyful mothers and fathers of children.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, in the 1st reading we see a confused Ahaz, who was not courageous enough like our mother Mary to have faith in God and trust in him. But in the gospel reading we see something different in the response of our mother Mary to the Angel. She willing said yes by her assertion, ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your will’. This shows that she had absolute trust on the message the Angel brought to her. This is a challenge to you and I as children of God, we must trust in Gods process at all times; even when it is not completely clear to us. The response of our Mother Mary is seen again in the 2nd reading, we are encouraged to always do the will of God. Mary has taught us the way, let us follow her footstep.
May God bless all unborn babies and also families praying for the fruit of the womb. Peace be with you.