Good morning good people!
May the Lord give you peace, health and happiness as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord during the Lenten time.
It is 25th March 2019. We reflect on Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; and Luke 1:26-38.
Our Most Holy Father Pope Francis reminds us: “Mary’s ‘yes’ opens the door to the presence of God among us. It is the most important ‘yes’ in history, a humble ‘yes’ that overturns the arrogance of sin.” (Angelus, March 25, 2019).
When God’s plan becomes my plan, humanity is blessed. Mary’s affirmative response to God’s invitation brought hope and redemption to the entire world. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 484) proclaims:
“The Annunciation to Mary inaugurates ‘the fullness of time,’ the time of the fulfilment of God’s promises and preparations. Mary was invited to conceive Him in whom the ‘whole fullness of deity’ would dwell bodily.”
Mary’s humble “fiat” (Latin for “let it be done”) was an act of faith, trust, and cooperation with the Holy Spirit, setting an example for us all. By her yes, she became not only the Mother of God but also our Mother. Her consent to God’s plan in the redemptive work of Jesus continues in our personal journeys of conversion and discipleship.
During Lent, we are called to cooperate with God’s grace, aligning our will with His, just as Mary did. Accepting God’s plan is not always easy, yet faith and humility help us surrender to His divine will. Isaiah’s prophecy in the first reading is fulfilled in Mary’s humble acceptance:
“Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (Isaiah 7:14).
The Responsorial Psalm reminds us of the disposition we must have before God:
“Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.” (Psalm 40:8-9).
A young woman, facing a difficult decision, felt uncertain and unworthy—much like Mary at the Annunciation. Kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament, she prayed, “Lord, I am afraid, but I trust You.” Peace filled her heart, and she embraced God’s plan. Looking back, she saw how her “yes” led to unexpected joys and blessings. When we surrender to God’s will, He turns our fears into grace.
God desires our personal and intimate offering of self, more than any other external sacrifice. As the letter to the Hebrews states:
“By this will, we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10).
The Gospel passage recounts the Annunciation—the moment when Archangel Gabriel brought the divine message to Mary. Her response, “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), is a model for our own faith.
Just as Mary’s yes changed the world, our yes to God’s will can bring about transformation in our lives and the lives of those around us.
Lent is a time to say “yes” to God and “no” to sin. Let us strive for consistency in our faith, avoiding contradictions where we say one thing and do another. May our faith be unwavering, and may we honour God by fulfilling the promises we have made—privately, publicly, in our families, and before the Church.
May this day inspire us to trust in God’s plan as Mary did.
Have a blessed day! God bless you.