SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD

25TH MARCH 2022

Is 7:10-14; 8:10, Ps 40:7-8, 9.10.11, Heb 10:4-10, Lk1:26-38

POWERFUL THINGS HAPPEN WHEN WE SAY “YES” TO GOD.

Today we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, when the Archangel Gabriel visited Mary with the news that she would be the Mother of God. It is a two-fold celebration today; God asked and Mary answered. God wants us as partners. Nine months from today will be Christmas. In the midst of our desert wanderings, in the midst of our refusal to see, in the midst of our search for water, God is ready to visit us and use us. When we look out at the world in these distressing days, we have to look a little harder to see that there are still blessings. Mary herself found it difficult to grasp what was being asked of her, but her steadfast faith led her to trust God’s messenger and say the “yes” that allowed God to use her as His son’s closest human collaborator in saving the world.

Great things always happen when we allow God to have His way in our lives. The book of Hebrews says: “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, burnt offerings and sin offerings you take no pleasure but Behold, I have come to do your will.” My dear Christians, nothing makes God more pleased as seeing His children doing His will. Today let us pray that our will, may go hand in hand with the will of God.

In our Gospel passage today, Mary had listened to the words of the Archangel Gabriel, revealing to her how she was to become the Mother of the Son of God Most High, and her acceptance of the role that the Lord had entrusted to her, sealed her role in the history of our salvation.

Mary’s obedience to the Lord and her total commitment to Him mark her as the New Eve as opposed to the first and old Eve of the Book of Genesis. While the old Eve disobeyed the Lord and gave in to her desires and listened to the lies of Satan tempting her with the allures of wisdom and knowledge, Mary as the New Eve remained faithful to the Lord and committed herself to Him, despite all the challenges and trials she might have to face for the path that she was led into.

Today, as we celebrate this great Solemnity, all of us are reminded of the following:

First, we are reminded of the assurances that God has given to us all these time, all that He had done for our sake and everything He has promised to us. If we are faithful to Him, we truly have nothing to fear. For He has shown us the path forward to eternal life, true happiness and joy with Him.

Secondly, we are reminded not to succumb to the temptations to sin, but instead be inspired by Mary, the Mother of Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, and Our Lord Himself, who as the New Eve and New Adam respectively have shown us all the path out of the darkness of sin and evil, into the light of righteousness and faith.

Thirdly, this solemnity is a reminder to us of the importance of following God’s will. It is His will which should prevail more than anyone’s will. God knows the best for us. Just like Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, following of God’s will even when we think otherwise, should prevail. When we have God Himself, nothing can disturb us; no social distance, no virus, not even the powers of darkness.

Our timing may be faulty, but God’s timing is always right. It is okay to wonder, but, do not be afraid. Powerful things always happen when we say yes to God by obeying His Word and letting His Will be done in our lives.

May the Most Holy Virgin intercede for all of us and grant to all our families the joy, love and enthusiasm to repeat today once again, with trust, “yes” to the Lord, “yes” to those whom we love. Happy solemnity