Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
(Isaiah 7:10-14.8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38)
Pro-life advocates have helped everyone see the importance
of today’s feast. In calling attention
to the fact that an embryo and a fetus is a human being, they make us aware that
the Incarnation took place with the virginal conception of Jesus. Without taking away from the importance of
the birth of Jesus, today we celebrate his becoming human.
Christian theology has always underlined the appropriateness
of this event. God might have decreed
humans free from guilt with the blood of the cross. But if He saved humans in that way, we would
have taken for granted the debt that our sins have created. We would also have underestimated the extent
of God’s love. In God’s becoming human on
this feast of the Annunciation, we know God more intimately than spouses of
sixty years. He has taught us how to
derive the most from life.
Mary responded to the news of the Incarnation with words of
submission. We should do the same. Let us be servants of the Lord and do all
that he tells us. We won’t be
overburdened but will have the joy of knowing Jesus.
