⇐ Year B - Fourth Sunday of Advent ⇒


Annunciation
Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1898

My dear friends,

In the spirit of compassion and wisdom, let us reflect upon the Annunciation, a moment of profound mystery and inspiration. It reminds us of the inner qualities we must cultivate, particularly in a world devoid of such miraculous divine interventions.

In the sixth month
the angel Gabriel was sent by God
to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin engaged to a man
whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David.
The virgin's name was Mary.
And he came to her and said,
"Greetings, favored one!
The Lord is with you."
- Luke 1:26-28

This divine greeting to Mary symbolizes the potential within each of us to receive wisdom and compassion. Just as Mary was chosen, we too are chosen every day to cultivate these virtues. In our modern world, the divine intervention takes the form of our conscious choice to develop a mind of love and wisdom.

But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."
- Luke 1:29-30

Mary's initial perplexity and subsequent courage are a testament to the human capacity to embrace the unknown with a heart full of faith. In our lives, embracing moments of uncertainty with a compassionate heart can lead to profound transformations, echoing Mary's journey.

"And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.
He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
- Luke 1:31-33

The promise of Jesus' birth and his eternal reign symbolize the everlasting nature of compassion and wisdom. These virtues, once born within us, have the power to transform not only our lives but also the lives of those around us, creating an enduring legacy of kindness and understanding.

Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her,
"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 holy; he will be called Son of God."
- Luke 1:34-35

Mary's question and the angel's response remind us of the mysterious ways in which life's blessings and challenges present themselves. The cultivation of a mind of love and compassion, akin to the Holy Spirit's overshadowing, prepares us to accept and grow from these mysteries.

"And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son;
and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren.
For nothing will be impossible with God."
- Luke 1:36-37

The story of Elizabeth, like Mary's, illustrates the limitless potential inherent in life. It teaches us that with faith and compassion, even the seemingly impossible can be achieved. This is a call for us to cultivate a boundless heart, open to all possibilities.

Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
- Luke 1:38

Mary's acceptance of her role reflects the ultimate surrender to love and wisdom. It is a powerful example for us to embrace our life's path with humility and courage, trusting in the greater good that emerges from a heart filled with compassion.

As we reflect upon the Annunciation, let us cultivate a mind of love, compassion, and wisdom. In doing so, we honor the spirit of this sacred story and contribute to a world in need of these very qualities. May we all find the strength to say, "Here am I," ready to embrace the call of a compassionate life.