"Let it be done unto me according to your word"

The Virgin Mary complete acceptance and trust in God's will, showing faith and humility.

calling her to be the instrument he needed to bring our world the King of Kings,

she could not understand the wisdom of God’s plan, but still she answered. 

 

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Isaiah 7:10-14

Once again the Lord

Addressed Ahaz, "Ask for a sign from the Lord your God, let it come either from the deepest depths or from the heights of heaven."

But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask, I will not put the Lord to the test."

Then Isaiah said, "Now listen, descendants of David.

Have you not been satisfied trying the patience of people, that you also try the patience of my God?

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign:

The Virgin is with child and bears a son and calls his name Immanuel.

 

Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 

 Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

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.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Mary doesn't need a sign to believe."

Saint Luke presents a parallel between the annunciation to Zechariah and to Mary. In each case,

Luke shows that the greater event is happening to Mary. Zechariah the elderly priest is afraid, but the young Mary is deeply disturbed.

One might even translate it as terrified. The angel calms her fears announcing that she has won God's favor and shall conceive a son.

Zechariah's son will be a great prophet. Mary's son will be a mighty king of David's line. Indeed, he will be the Holy One, the Son of God himself.

 

Before he is willing to believe, Zechariah asks for proof. Mary does not doubt; she only seeks to understand how it can come about.

The Archangel Gabriel explains that she will conceive through the power of the Holy Spirit, who will overshadow her,

just as the Spirit hovered over the waters at the beginning of creation. Mary doesn't ask anything more.

She simply submits to God's will as his most humble servant, wholly dedicated to him and to his plan.

Unlike Zechariah, Mary doesn't need a sign to believe. In fact, she is the sign for others: "the Virgin is with child," and she will bear a son.