Luke 1: 26-38
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.”
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. 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.”
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.
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.” 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.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved (http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations)
Whenever God’s power touches human lives, whether in dramatic visions or subtle inner movements, our natural reaction is to feel disturbed and fearful. If we dare to trust the angel’s reassurance, however, our fear can be transformed into awe and our resistance into life-changing response.
—Margaret Silf, 2010: A Book of Grace-Filled Days © 2010 Loyola Press, Chicago IL. For more Ignatian spiritual resources from Loyola Press, please visit www.loyolapress.com
Lord, this day we pray the words of your Mother: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Though fear might try to silence our commitment and self-doubt might try to diminish our calling, we choose to surrender our will to you. We claim the power of the Holy Spirit to raise our awareness of your intercession in our life. And no matter how daunting our journey might seem, we cling to your faithfulness and your assurance that you will collaborate with us to serve with conviction, courage, and great care.
—The Jesuit Prayer Team
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