[Salvation]

On the Annunciation

 

by Food For Thought on April 8, 2013 ·

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation. It is a
day rich in meaning for it unites the Paschal and Christmas cycles.
Both cycles are about beginnings. Christmas is the beginning of the
life of the new Adam, Jesus Christ, born of the new Eve, Mary. That
cycle begins with the Annunciation. Easter cycle is the new beginning
for humanity, when through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, man is
raised from death of sin to a new life in the Risen Lord.

These two beginnings are closely related to the first beginning which
is the Creation. The fall of Adam and Eve came about when they
listened to the father of all lies, the devil. As a result, man
severed ties with God. Yet God promised that the Son of the Woman will
crush the head of the serpent. Eve, the mother of all those who live
awaits for the new Eve, Mary, the mother of the new creation. “One
man’s offence brought condemnation on all humanity and one man’s good
act brought justification and life to all humanity.” (Ro. 5:18)

May our daily prayer be: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done
to me according to Your word.”

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Monday, April 8, 2013 >>

Annunciation

Isaiah 7:10-14
Hebrews 10:4-10
View Readings

Psalm 40:7-11
Luke 1:26-38

SHOCKED BACK TO LIFE

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." —Luke 1:35

 

Why would the all-holy God become a human being? (see 2 Cor 5:21) To Muslims and Jews, it seems blasphemous to suggest that the Supreme Being became a tiny human being implanted in the wall of Mary's uterus. Why would the Creator become a creature? "How can this be?" (Lk 1:34)

Jesus' Incarnation should blow our minds. This will result either in confusion or in fear of the Lord. If we accept the Spirit's gift of fear of the Lord, we will begin to have wisdom. We will realize that God is so holy He is beyond our concepts of holiness. We will wisely see that we are so fallen that only the incarnate, crucified, and risen God can save us from our sins against the all-holy One. If we begin to understand that the Incarnation is a mystery, we will be wise enough to worship, obey, and serve Jesus with abandon. We will receive the Incarnate Jesus in Holy Communion as often as possible. We will tell the world about Him. We will never be the same. We will be shocked out of selfishness and into reality.

 

Prayer: Father, "let it be done to me as You say" (Lk 1:38).

Promise: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and shall name Him Immanuel." —Is 7:14

Praise: Alleluia! God has become a human being! For love of us He has died on the cross and been risen from the dead!