The Annunciation, Fresco in San Marco, Florence, Fra Angelico, 1442-1443.

Today's Readings

Reading 1  Is 7:10-14; 8:10
Responsorial Psalm  40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11
Reading 2  Heb 10:4-10
Gospel  Lk 1:26-38

Homily for the Solemnity of the Annunciation, March 25, 2020

In the person of Jesus Christ, God and man are united. This is the good news that Saint Gabriel came to announce to Mary: that she would bear in her womb the one through whom all human beings could find eternal life. The profundity of this news overwhelmed Mary, and made her fearful. What would this mean for her life?

Throughout the world and throughout history, human beings have sought to find meaning in their lives in many ways. Similarly, human beings have always searched for love in their lives. We know that there are many different things which people in the world call love, but Jesus Christ and the Church He established upon this earth clearly teach us that there is only one real type of love. It is that love which over many years would lead Mary to Calvary. Only this real love is strong enough to destroy death.

If Mary had understood the fullness of her vocation, she would likely have feared the annunciation of Saint Gabriel even more than she did. Both the Annunciation and its consummation on Calvary are sacred events which call us to consider how God expects us to accept the Holy Spirit in humble submission to the will of God. Mary is the greatest disciple of Our Lord. Beyond her questions she says  “Fiat”:  “let  it be done unto me according to your word” . She accepts the fullness of the Holy Spirit and bears the Body of Christ. She is the model for us who strive faithfully to say,  “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”

Those who have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Baptism and have had them strengthened in Confirmation turn to Mary, asking her intercession during their journey towards Calvary, and asking for perseverance to pray beneath the Cross. As each of us shares in the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, may we be transformed in mind and heart, in order to bear the real love of Christ in the world: in the midst of those around us who are seeking God more deeply in their lives, or who do not yet know Him.
 

Intercessions

 
Our response is: Lord, here our prayer. 

In peace let us pray to the Lord … R/ 

Mary’s being rejoices in the saving power of God. May the Spirit of her Son inspire the Church’s praise of God’s endless mercy, let us pray to the Lord... R/  

Mary uses her voice in the reign of God to intercede for us. May all world and national leaders use their voices to advocate justice for the poor, let us pray to the Lord... R/ 

Joseph received Mary, the Christ-bearer, into his home. May we receive others, regardless of race or creed, as bearers of the mystery of God, let us pray to the Lord... R/ 

Every day the forces of death strike at life. May we, who have been clothed in the splendor of God’s Spirit, be ardent witnesses to the sanctity of all life, let us pray to the Lord...  R/ 

For those parents who have been unable to conceive a child, may they find comfort in our support, hope in the choices available to them, and peace in making positive decisions, let us pray to the Lord... R/ 

For the Elect and all who prepare for the Easter Sacraments. May these days of Lent prepare them for the Easter Sacraments, let us pray to the Lord... R/ 

For the sick, may they know the love and compassion of God in their lives, let us pray to the Lord...   R/ 

For those who have died. May they share in the glory promised by Christ to those who share in his cross and death, let us pray to the Lord… R/ 

For the prayers in our book of intercessions, and for those prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts (pause 5 seconds), and for The People of the Parish, let us pray to the Lord …  R/ 

In company with Mary, the Holy Mother of God, St. Anthony de Padua our patron, and all the angels and saints, in peace let us pray to the Lord …   R/