The Angel of the LORD declared unto Mary
And she conceived by the Holy Spirit
Thus begins the Angelus, one of my Lenten devotions this year. Can you imagine the joy that Mary felt, despite any concerns she had about being a young mother? I can remember when we discovered each of our pregnancies. The joy, nervousness, excitement, awe. They were each a gift, even those that we had to bid goodbye too soon. The moment of learning of a new little being waiting to be born, is indescribable. Throughout Lent, I have pondered how much more those emotions would be if an angel of the LORD had delivered the news.
Tomorrow is the Feast of the Annunciation. It is only nine months until Christmas, but those original nine months changed the course of history forever. How fitting that in the midst of Lent, while we wait in the desert, we receive the best gift--a royal baby announcement, the heralding of the long awaited Son of God. Our entire salvation is wrapped up and handed to us through Mary's fiat, her yes, her submission to the almighty. Without her acceptance, Easter would never be. She gave her whole self so that God could give all He had--His Son--and welcome us into the Kingdom.
In the coming weeks, I am going to run a series on the Works of Mercy and how we can incorporate them into our daily life, as a sort of baby shower present to our Blessed Mother. She gave her life, so that Christ could give His. In thanks, let us find some ways to give more of ourselves for the least of these.
God bless!
I have enjoyed reading your posts for the past months. This peticular post I felt compelled to comment on because of my own personal experience with Christ's calling in my life. As a wife and mother of three (and prayerfully more!)
ReplyDeleteI often feel God whispering for me to phrase my prayers as Mary did so long ago. "Be it done to me according to Thy Word". Even Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane prayed that the Father's Will be done. So who am I to pray any more? He knows what we need and what's best for us. So thank you so much for blessing me with this continued reminder to do God's Will, not my own. +JMJ+
Sonja, thank you for your comment. It means so much to hear from those who read this blog. It always amazes me that there actually are women like you reading. I always pray, "Speak LORD, Your servant is listening." God bless you and your children.
DeleteI saw the Angelus in a whole new light when I began praying it when I was pregnant. It became my 'pregnancy prayer'. Looking forward to your series!
ReplyDelete