REFLECTIONS TODAY
In response to the angel Gabriel’s message from God, Mary gives her fiat (agreement) because she considers herself “the handmaid” (v 38) of the Lord. The Greek doule means female slave or servant, and in the cultural world of the time a female slave is a commodity of the master, that can be sold, exchanged, and made to work for her owner.
However, in the Bible there is an honored group of people called “servants of Yahweh,” prominent among whom are the prophets. Others distinguished by the title are the patriarchs, Moses, Joshua, King David.
And in Deutero-Isaiah, we have the mysterious figure called the Ebed-YHWH (“God’s Servant”) who is considered as the image of the Messiah. In declaring herself the handmaid of the Lord, Mary is saying that she is totally at the Lord’s disposal. She does not mean to number herself among those honored by the title “servant of the Lord.” Yet for the evangelist Luke, the humble girl of Nazareth is said to “have found favor with God” (v 30).
Hence, all generations “will call her blessed” (cf Lk 1:48). And rightly so, because after her earthly sojourn, she is assumed to heaven and crowned queen of heaven and earth.
First Reading • Is 9:1-6 [or Ez 36:23-28]
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!
Gospel • Luke 1:26-38 [or Mt 22:1-14]
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.