By Santhiya Philomone csc –
Readings: Is 7: 10-14, 8: 10; Heb 10: 4-10; Lk 1: 26-38
Today, we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. The Annunciation to Mary begins our immediate preparation for the coming of Jesus amidst us.
In the first reading, we see Ahaz being asked by God to look out for a sign, to test his faith. But Ahaz stood firm with a profound desire for his love for the Lord and said, I will not put my Lord to test in any circumstances’.
In the second reading, the letter to the Hebrews gives us a clear understanding of the forgiveness of our sins. The blood of bulls and goats cannot take away our sins nor can any sacrifice and offering but only through the blood of Christ can we attain forgiveness.
In the gospel, we see Mary’s response to God’s plan. Mary said ‘yes.’ It was a ‘yes’ to manifest God’s love in the person of Christ. Mary’s profound faith found an expression in her ‘yes.’
Today, I am invited to reflect on my faith and response to the Lord. Do I have the courage like Mary to say ‘yes’ to the Lord? Did my response to God favour him? As I reflect on these questions, I find a ‘yes’ to the lord, and that I should not speculate the happenings of my future. I should respond to God with total dependence like Mary. On the other hand, it is also difficult to stay steadfast in my response to the Lord because of the worldly attractions and pleasures. Let us pray for the God’s grace to be firm in our response to God.