“Catholics are frequently criticized because of the prominence and respect given to the Virgin Mary while simultaneously condemned for not giving enough prominence and respect to women……… There is a reason Mary is everywhere. I've seen her image all over the world, in cafés in Europe on students' backpacks in Colombia, in a market stall in India…….Images of Mary remind us of God's favor……. Devotion to the Mother of our Lord in no way detracts from the adoration of her Divine Son. The brightness of the moon does not detract from the brilliance of the sun, but rather bespeaks its brilliance……… Never forget - It was to a virgin woman that the birth of the Son of God was announced. It was to a fallen woman (Mary Magdalene) that His Resurrection was announced….Mary points the way to Jesus – go to her and she will guide you as only a Mother can to the Son of God!”

Gospel Text: (Lk 1:26-38)

In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

 

Reflect, today, upon your own knowledge of the truth.  Are you able to consent to the will of God and the truths of God without fully understanding them?  Do you trust God more than you trust your own human reason?  Are you willing to move forward in life by faith rather than by your limited human reason alone?  Strive to imitate the pure faith-knowledge of our Blessed Mother.  She knew the truth because it was spoken in her heart.  And as she listened, she consented and embraced the holy will of God.  We must do the same.