First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14,8:10

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:4-10

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 

 

The story of the annunciation takes us from the temple, a holy place par excellence, to the house, to the intimacy of a personal meeting of God with His creature. The announcement of the birth of Jesus, knocks on the door of one who is full of grace and awaits a reply: it is God who waits for our yes so as to work everything in us.

 

The people involved in this unsettling event are presented to us: Gabriel, the messenger of God, a young woman called Mary and her spouse Joseph of the royal house of David. We too are made welcome into this company and are called to enter into the mystery. The angel announces joy, grace and the presence of God, he manifests the gift of God, of His omnipotence in the life of human beings. 

 

Mary knows that for God the impossible is possible; she does not doubt or harden her heart and mind; she does not count the cost; she only wants to be fully available, open, and allows herself to be reached by that humanly impossible touch, but one already written, already realized in God. 

 

God, most humble, gives an answer; the all-powerful bends over the fragility of this woman, who represents each one of us. The dialogue continues; the covenant grows and is strengthened. God reveals the how. He speaks of the Holy Spirit, of the fruitful overshadowing, which preserves intact. He speaks of the human experience of Elizabeth. He reveals another impossible thing made possible; almost like a guarantee or security.