We remember how the power of God was made known in the conception of Jesus. The depth of God's love was revealed in a human life - Mary. Mary was the real flesh and blood woman who dared to say yes to God's call, freely and unconditionally. The Word became flesh in Mary and Mary continued to enflesh that loving Word in her everyday existence. We rejoice that Mary responded to God's call and she is an exemplary model for us in our path of discipleship.
Preface of the Feast
He came to save humankind by becoming a human himself. The Virgin Mary, receiving the angel's message in faith, conceived by the power of the Spirit and bore your Son in purest love.
In Christ, the eternal truth, your promise to Israel came true .In Christ, the hope of all peoples, our hope was realised beyond all expectation.
Origin
This feast originated in the East and was introduced at Rome between 660 and 680 A.D.
The Annunciation was established on 25th March because the feast of Christimas was already set. By the 6th century, the Annunciation was a universally recognised feast both in the East as well as the West.
Doctrine
This feast is about the Incarnation (Latin, taking on human flesh). In the Apostles Creed it states: 'He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary'. This statement, a profession of faith, states the belief of the Church from very early times. This central point that Mary conceived and gave birth to a son, Jesus, as a virgin has always been part of the profession of Christian faith.
Song of the Way
Miryam, aware, reached out. Holding the knowledge of change, reached out. Accepting the newness of challenge, reached out. Reached out to begin the renewing.
Miryam embarked on the journey. Her mind precise for the journey. Her soul enflamed for the journey. Journeyed to the arms of God. (Miryam of Nazareth, Ann Johnson)
Mary had to decide
Commentary
The style of this event is symbolic and follows a literary pattern, it is not a diary of an event in the life of Mary. Luke uses a literary form of Annunciation. The purpose of this form was to prepare a reader for the career of a person who was destined to play a significant role in salvation history. Luke's primary purpose is to emphasise the future greatness of Jesus.
The literary form of Annunciation always follows the same pattern. This pattern has been in the annunciation to: Abraham (Genesis 17); Samson's parents (judges 13); Moses (Exodus 3); Gideon (judges 6); Joseph (Matthew 1:20-23); Zachariah (Luke 1:8-23); the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20).
Mary was pregnant - but a virgin! This is a sign of God's power and willingness to take part in human history. Compare this new creative act of God with the act of the first creation when the Spirit of God came down upon the water (Genesis 1:2). This mysterious conception, without a male parent reveals the creative power of God at work. Here again God takes the initiative and does something new.
Pattern of the decision
The Annunciation Pattern to Mary
Common characteristics in the telling or announcing
Scripture
Mary's Situation
1. Appearance
1:26-27
The appearance of an angel of the lord (or the Lord Himself); (Gabriel means 'God is my hero').
2. Reaction
1:29-30
A reaction of fear, met by a 'Do not be afraid'.
3. Announcement
1:28-30 1:31 1:31
1:32,33,35
Address by her name.
About conception and bearing a son.
The naming of the child, sometimes with the origin of the world. (Jesus means 'God saves')
The future achievements of the child.
4. Objection
1:34
Mary objects to the announcement - 'But how...?'
5. Sign
1:36-37
Mary is given a sign to reassure her.
Refer to: (Mary in the New Testament, edited by Raymond E. Brown)
Something For Our Lives
At times of crisis in our lives we may feel that matters have been taken out of our control, yet a time of crisis can be an opportunity to set a new direction in our lives.
Mary heard the call of God and accepted her responsibility. She responded immediately, freely and generously - her 'yes' was total. Her response, although a quiet one, accepted unconditionally the events which she clearly did not grasp fully. Although Mary's call at the Annunciation seems to have been a sudden one, responsible decisions that we make of ten times take time.
The energy for living comes from a sense of purpose and from a knowledge that something lies ahead. The future. is not something to be dreaded, but to be looked forward to. We actually make our own future. To hope in the future means to believe in and to have the ability to choose. Human freedom becomes for us a reality and a gift.
Discussion/Reflection
Collect newspaper articles, that are about people making choices.
Then make a statement about the alternatives involved in each choice and evaluate the possibility of each alternative and its consequences.
Not many important decisions in life are easily arrived at, and a considerable period of time may pass before we have a clear idea of what to do. What does Mary's response have to offer us as a way of responding to the unknown?
Like Mary, many young people are at the crossroads of life. What free, well-informed and responsible decisions have you made so far in your life?
What structures are there in your life and in our society that prevent you from making decisions or living up to them?
Ave
Hail: the voices Gabriel lit, chorale of hope, Mary, blazon your name in every time and tongue; full of grace poured out on lips and life, you show the Lord is with you, Father, Spirit, Son.
Blessed are you whose mustard seed of faith uprooting the mortal tree, restores to us the tree of life; among all women, humblest, promised one, illuming dim prophetic paths with morning light.
And blessed is the fruit you bear, the generations rejoicing to call you blessed and mother, blood-brothers of the scion of your womb. To him the needle of your life goes pointing: Jesus, magnetic pole, our centre, sun.
Holy Mary lead us along his paths, Mother of God, our mother. If errant, then pray for us sinners; open our eyes, our hearts, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
(Audio Available)
