March 25: Annunciation of the Lord—Solemnity
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. ~Luke 1:38
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. (Lk. 1:26-39)
Reflection
In the fifth century, bishops engaged in a fierce theological debate over the unity of the divine and human natures of Christ, referred to as the “hypostatic union.” Nestorius, the Archbishop of Constantinople, argued that there were two underlying hypostases, or substances, in Christ, one human and one divine. He believed that the humanity of Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, but not His divinity. Therefore, Nestorius believed Mary should only be called the “Christ-bearer” and not the “God-bearer” (Theotokos). Saint Cyril, the Archbishop of Alexandria, argued that the divine and human natures of Jesus were united in one hypostasis. Divinity and humanity were perfectly united and, therefore, Mary is properly called the Theotokos, or “Mother of God,” not just the “Mother of Christ.” God was born of her, not just His body. Mary conceived a Person in her womb, and that Person was both God and man, perfectly united as one. In 431 the Church held a council at Ephesus at which Cyril’s position was adopted and Nestorius’ position was condemned. Nestorius was then removed as Archbishop of Constantinople.
The Solemnity we celebrate today came into practice around the time of this controversy, possibly as a way of emphasizing the theological teaching that emerged from the Council of Ephesus. Throughout Church history, when a theological truth is defined, that truth is then celebrated liturgically as a lived expression of the Church’s faith.
The date of this celebration is interesting. It is set nine months before Christmas, but most likely, the date of Christmas was set nine months after the Annunciation. Many early Christians believed that Jesus’ death occurred on March 25, and, therefore, His Incarnation must have also taken place on this day. Interestingly, as early as the third century, it has been suggested that March 25 was also the date of the creation of Adam, the fall of Adam, the fall of the angels, the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, and the passing of the Israelites through the Red Sea.
Today’s celebration of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord recalls the historical event of the Angel Gabriel appearing to the Virgin Mary, as found in Luke 1:26–38. It also celebrates the Church’s faith in the underlying reality that took place at that moment in time. It celebrates the Incarnation, making this solemnity not only a Marian solemnity, but first and foremost a Christological one. Though Christmas commemorates the birth of Christ, the Annunciation commemorates the Incarnation within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Most certainly, this solemnity is also a Marian celebration. We celebrate the Virgin Mary’s perfect “Yes” to the plan of the Father. We celebrate her humility, obedience, docility, and especially her motherhood of God and man.
This solemnity is also a celebration of the Father in Heaven because it reveals the beginning of the pinnacle of His perfect plan of salvation. That moment in time, the moment of the Incarnation, holds significance beyond comprehension. This moment was in the mind of the Father in Heaven from all eternity and took place in a hidden way, known only to this lowly and humble virgin.
As we celebrate this glorious solemnity, ponder all these central mysteries of our faith. Faith must be celebrated, not only believed. It must be proclaimed, rejoiced in, loved, and lived. Profess your faith in the Incarnation and seek the intercession of the Virgin Mary. Ask her to pray for you that you may imitate her “Yes” to the will of the Father in Heaven, so that you can continue to bring forth His divine Son in your soul, so that He will continue to be made manifest to the world through you.
Prayer: Most glorious and ever-virgin Mary, when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to you to announce the coming of God within your virginal womb, you inquired with humility how this could be. The Archangel spoke further, and you assented to this divine mystery with all your heart. Please pray for me, that I may always consent to the will of God in my life so that your divine Son may also be conceived in my soul to continue His saving work of redemption. Mother Mary, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Reflection taken from:
Saints and Feasts of the Liturgical Year
Volumes One–Four
https://mycatholic.life
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
25 March
As early as the middle of the 6th century in the East, and the 7th century in Rome, there is evidence of this Feast celebrated on 25 March. Since this feast is connected with the Lord Jesus and to His entry into history, the revised liturgical calendar gave this feast the title of the “Annunciation of the Lord”, over the more popular Annunciation of Mary. The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is a Christmas feast even though it is not celebrated during the Christmas Season. Nine months before we celebrate the Lord’s birth, we celebrate His incarnation in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
God enters through the back door
The Annunciation is the Feast celebrating the Lord’s incarnation in Mary’s womb, initiating a new history. It is interesting to notice that God does not send the angel to the Temple in Jerusalem, but to Galilee, a despised region, considered a haven for unbelieving pagans. Nazareth is a city that is never mentioned in the Old Testament.
Mary is troubled
On hearing the Angel’s message, Mary reflects, she enters into dialogue with herself and with the angel, asking what his message meant and how it would happen. Mary does not allow herself to be overcome by her emotions. She appears as a courageous woman, who remains in control of herself even though she is faced with something unheard of. In the end, she evaluates and makes a decision in God’s light.
The action of the Holy Spirit
It is the Spirit who clothes Mary, making her fit for her mission. He does it here and He will do it again in the Upper Room. Mary is the woman clothed with the Spirit, thanks to whom and in whom everything becomes possible.
Mary’s Yes
Mary’s “Let it be done to me” transforms the humble house of “her” being into God’s House, becoming a Tabernacle of the Most High Jesus. All it took was her “Let it be done to me”, a sign of her willingness, knowing she could trust in the action of the Holy Spirit. And God entered into history, accepting to “make” history in the lives of those who have said and who would say over and over again, “Let it be done to me”.
Mary’s characteristics
Mary’s first characteristic is her faith. She believes and entrusts herself to God, certain that nothing is impossible for Him. God is not afraid of our moments of confusion, of reflection, of trying to understand. God does not force our freedom, but teaches us how to be free so that each one of us can say our own “Let it be done to me”.
The second characteristic is that she accepted God’s time and pace—His time requires our time, it requires that we live more profoundly. God asks for our “yes”, but He also asks that we assume go at His “pace” and “time” which is not simply the ticking of the clock. God’s time is the right time, the fullness of time, the opportune moment, the moment of grace.
Prayer
Today is disclosed the myst’ry before the ages;
and the Son of God shall become the Son of Man,
that by his adoption of the lowest
he may grant us the highest.
Of old Adam failed to become a God
as he desired,
so God became Man
that Adam might become as God.
Wherefore, let creation rejoice,
and nature exchange greetings,
for the archangel did stand reverently before the Virgin
and offered her joy instead of sorrow.
Wherefore, O our God,
who by thy compassion became man,
glory be to thee.
From the Byzantine Matins for the Feast of the Annunciation
