The Annunciation

The first joyful mystery that we pray today is the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she had been chosen from all women to be the mother of the Messiah.

I often think of the cast of characters when I ponder this mystery. Of course you have Mary and Gabriel, but who else might have been a part of this scene?

My mind many times goes to those who died in the ages before, and were just and upright and stayed in the friendship of the Father. Remember, the gates of Heaven would not be opened until they were opened by the prophesied Messiah.

Abel, the first we know about and who has been waiting the longest for the Messiah to open the gates of Heaven. Adam and Eve. Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Joseph, David, Rachel, the list goes on and on. Were they witnesses to the Annunciation? Were they waiting to hear Mary’s answer? Was there a celebration when they heard Mary’s fiat?

“Let it be done to me…..:

I imagine them celebrating and saying, “she said yes!” That was and is the most important yes in all of history. They knew then it would be soon when their limbo was over.

Think too, the instant Mary said yes, she was filled with the Holy Spirit like no one before had been and no one ever will be, for her openness to the Holy Spirit, physically brought the Son of God, the Savior to all mankind, of all generations. No human being can ever be filled with the Holy Spirit as Mary was and still is.

At that instant, with Mary’s fiat, is when God became man. In that instant, Jesus was conceived, fully human, fully divine.

Mary remains an important figure in Christianity and history. All of Jesus Christ’s DNA would be from Mary. The blood type found on the Shroud of Turin is said to be the type that is a universal receiver, meaning they can receive any and all. To me it makes sense that Christ would be a universal receiver, waiting for all to come to Him. Doesn’t that also make Mary a universal receiver? And she waits for all God’s children to call her mother.

Mary was and is the Mother of God! Who better than a mother can help you know her Son? And how many sons can say no to their mother?

For me, when I meet Jesus face to face, I want Him to say, “my mother talks of you often”

The Annunciation is celebrated in just a couple of days, March 25th – count the months – and for Catholics is no longer a Holy Day of Obligation (or of opportunity) but sure would be a great day to go to Mass or stop in to see Jesus.

Jesus and His Mother would love to see you and spend some time with you.