REFLECTIONS TODAY
The praying of the Angelus is a beautiful part of our Catholic tradition. The prayer reminds us of the mystery of the Incarnation. The beautiful practice includes the alternate responses between the one leading the prayer and the responding people. The prayer itself and the practice challenge us to be responsive to the good news we have received. Today’s Gospel narrates the annunciation of the birth of Jesus. The angel Gabriel is sent from God to announce to Mary that she will conceive and bear a son whom she will name Jesus. In the end of the narrative, Mary says her “Yes” to what has been announced to her by the angel. In every good news that is announced to us, we are challenged to respond positively. In every blessing given us, we are invited to become a blessing ourselves.
How responsive are we to the challenges of our faith? Are we aware of our blessedness? How can we concretely respond to the good news, especially at this time when we are intensifying our preparations for the coming of the Lord?
Gospel • 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.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.