Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

Annunciation to Virgin Mary 
Luke 1: 26-38

 

By: Rev. Shibu Samuel,
Vicar
The Canadian MTC, Toronto. 

31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High,
 
Attitude is a mind-set that triggers a person’s situation specific, views and perspectives. We should always realize that with a positive attitude, every opportunity may have difficulty and every difficulty may have opportunities. At the end, what we have harvested in our life is directly related to our attitude of approaching any challenge and mission ahead.
                             In today’s Gospel (above reference), we hear the words spoken by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of Nazareth who was betrothed to Joseph, of the house of David.  The annunciation to Mary was not a simple thing. Her attitude, complete submission and surrender to the divine call equipped her for this mission and her call as the mother of God. To   this good news she responded positively. This response was the driving force in this great event. Mary’s submission is very important. She was ready to do whatever God says. 
                       The Holy Spirit was the author and the initiator of this divine call. Here the angel told Mary that her son would be equal to the most high God. Humanly, Jesus was David’s physical descendant through Mary’s line. 
                     This section speaks clearly, of the virgin conception of Jesus. The virgin birth of Jesus has been emphasized. Both Luke and Mathew expressly state that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived. The Holy Spirit wrought the conception through supernatural means.
                        The conception was the work of Holy Spirit, the eternal second person of the Trinity. So, the nature of Christ’s conception emphasises His deity and sinlessness, being fully God and fully man. How does Mary respond to the Word of God? The annunciation to Virgin Mary “greetings, portrays Mary as a recipient, not a dispenser of divine grace. Mary was in an extremely embarrassing and difficult position. Betrothed to Joseph, she faced the stigma of unwed motherhood and would be accused of adultery. But she willingly and graciously submitted to the will of God. She was ready to risk her life for the sake of divine mission. She was willing to take the risk and ready to go up any extend. She knew she was hearing something beyond human capability.  She was full of grace because she trusted that what God said was true and would be fulfilled. She was willing and eager to do God's will, even if it seemed difficult or costly.
                      Through the Holy Spirit, God sends His son to the world. Mary believed the promise of God. Nothing will be impossible with God. Yes, nothing will be impossible to God. Like Mary we have to submit ourselves into God's hands and say “here am I, let it be with me as you will and according to your Word.  God, you take the lead”.
                           God gives us grace and He expects us to respond with the same willingness, obedience, and to fully  trust God as Mary did. When God commands, He also gives us His help, strength, and means to respond.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace towards us. Please help us to obey You and trust You as Mary did. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
 "For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

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