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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider May it be done to me according to your word

May it be done to me according to your word

Published Apr 8, 2024 02:28 am

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

The “immaculate conception,” whi ch makes Mary, the young woman of Nazareth, “highly favored” (kecharitomenē) by God, does not dispense her from natural human reaction before the divine revelation. She is greatly troubled at what was said by the angel, like Gideon when the messenger appeared to him and told him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty warrior!” (Jgs 6:12). Assured by the angel, with open heart and soul, Mary replies, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (v 38). Pope Francis comments on Mary’s reply, “We are always struck by the strength of the young Mary’s ‘yes’… She was determined; she knew what was at stake and she said ‘yes’ without thinking twice. Hers was the ‘yes’ of someone prepared to be committed, someone willing to take a risk... with no more security than the certainty of knowing that she was the bearer of a promise… Her ‘yes and her desire to serve were stronger than any doubts or difficulties’ ” (Christus Vivit, 44).

 

First Reading • Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 

The Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us!”

 

Gospel • Luke 1:26-38 

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: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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