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Gospel Reading for April 8, 2024 – Luke 1: 26-38
CANNOT THRIVE
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
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.
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Mary was afraid as the angel said. Who would not be, when an angel suddenly appears with a greeting such as this? When she was told she would conceive and bear a son who will be great and be called Son of the Most High, she should have been more afraid because what would this make of her who was a simple virgin? She should have been more afraid when she was told she would conceive a son outside marriage because she would end up being stoned to death, as the practice was with the Jews.
FAITH goes hand in hand with TRUST. Otherwise, FAITH CANNOT THRIVE. If we truly believe in God, we will trust him, no matter what. This is why FAITH is tested when the going gets tough.
Lord, may we always be attentive to what you announce to us everyday, and may we be trusting enough to believe that with you, nothing is impossible!
