The Annunciation of the Lord - Solemnity. Monday, 08 April 2013

LIPPI. Fra. Filippo. Annunciation

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From: Nivard . . .
Sent: Sunday, 7 April 2013, 10:13
Subject: Sermon for Annunciation

Annunciation of the Lord 

8 April 2013, Benedict XVI Adapted.

 

For centuries prior to the birth of Christ, God's chosen people had been waiting for the promised Messiah. God spoke to king Ahaz through Isaiah. King Ahaz was told to ask the Lord God for a sign. However, king Ahaz refused to ask God for a sign, indicating that he would not put God to the test. Consequently, the Lord God chose a sign of His own. God said, "Look, the young woman, is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." "Immanuel" means, "God is with us."

When Gabriel appeared to Mary, he said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee." When Mary heard these words, she was confused. She did not know who the angel was, why he had come, nor the meaning of this kind of salutation.

The exact meaning of the word "grace" in Greek implies more than "fullness"; it implies "instrumentality." It was a calling to the Blessed Virgin Mary to become an instrument of the Lord God. It was a calling that demanded a "Fiat," total submission, unconditional trust in the Divine Providence.

The angel told Mary not to have any fear for she had found grace with God. Behold, she would conceive in her womb and bring forth a Son who shall be called Jesus. He shall be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. Of His kingdom, there will be no end. History tells us today that all these things have happened for the glory of God.

From these prophetic words, Mary understood the message to mean the announcement of the coming Redeemer. However, how could this be since she was a virgin? To remove Mary's anxiety the angel Gabriel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. In confirmation of this, the angel informed Mary that her aged cousin, Elizabeth, was pregnant and would have a child. In response to the angel's Annunciation, Mary gave her "Fiat" by saying, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word."

The Name Immanuel means, "God is with us." In Hebrew, the name 'Jesus' means: "God saves." The angel gave the Lord His proper Name. This name expressed His identity and His mission.  God alone can forgive sins. It is God who, in Jesus, His eternal Son made man, "will save his people from their sins." Through Jesus, God summarises all His history of salvation for the benefit of mankind.

At the moment of the Annunciation, Jesus entered the world in His human nature. Through Mary, He became a member of the human race. Through Mary, Jesus was given to the world for the salvation of mankind.

Through Mary, an Immaculate Virgin, Jesus received His human form to become the perfect sacrifice and sin offering according to the Divine will of God the Father. This meant an end to the imperfect sacrifices and sin offerings of bulls and goats. Salvation is a gift. It has been given to us through Jesus Christ.
 

In summary, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord reminds us of the moment when the Word of God the Father took human nature upon Himself. Today we are also called to remember that although Jesus has risen and is sitting at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, He remains present with us in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. He is present in the Living Word and in the Tabernacle. There, He continually longs for all the faithful to show their love for Him. My brothers, our saving Lord, our God, has come and remains with us. Of His Kingdom there will be no end. May we draw as close to Jesus as He is to us.

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