Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Annunciation to Virgin Mary
Bible Reading: Luke 1: 26-38.
DEVOTION
The Church enters the season of annunciation (Suboro), in which the main meditation topics are annunciations to Zechariah the priest, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Annunciations reveal God’s plan of salvation and the importance of humans’ creative response to it. This divine-human encounter speaks volumes about divine presence, human faith, and the transformative power of love and obedience.
The Annunciation to Mary is a moment of profound mystery and grace. In this passage, God prepares an ordinary woman for a remarkable mission. It is the fulfillment of the divine prophecy through the 8th-century prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14). Scripture reveals a God who always keeps His promises (more than 8000 recorded). The fulfillment of divine promises is the basis of the annunciation, that reveals the mind, will, and plan of God.
Divine encounters are beyond human comprehension. Mary is greeted by the angel Gabriel, who brings a message so astonishing and life-changing, that it shatters the borders of human expectation. “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you,” Gabriel announces. Mary is perplexed, even afraid, by these words. This moment of divine visitation is overwhelming; as if heaven itself has broken into the ordinary world. It also emphasizes how God’s grace finds its way into the humblest of places, among the simplest of people.
Rational approach in faith journey - When the angel reveals to Mary that she will conceive and bear a son, her response is both practical and profound. “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” She voices human uncertainty - a natural, reasonable response to the divine calling. Surely this type of announcement will create intellectual doubt and fear in human minds, but we can see God preparing her for His mission through the assurance of "fear not." Gabriel’s answer, describing the Holy Spirit’s role, invites Mary to trust in God’s mystery. She trusted that God’s ways were higher than her own, showing faith in His divine plan despite the personal challenges she faced.
Obedient approach in faith journey - Despite her fears and uncertainties, Mary willingly accepted the divine plan, demonstrating obedience even with an unclear future. Her response, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word,” is an act of surrender, a complete and total willingness to the plan of God. Faith is the willingness to say ‘yes’ to God’s plans. This moment of surrender is not simply passive acceptance; it is an active, deliberate assent, an opening of her life to divine will. Her ‘yes’ becomes the gateway through which God’s redemptive love enters the world. Her ‘yes’ is not just an individual act of faith; it becomes the foundation for a community of faith for the Church, and for all who seek to align their lives with God’s purposes. Her humble acceptance highlights the importance of humility and living as a servant of God.
In reflecting on the Annunciation, we see an invitation to ponder our own responses to God’s call in our lives. Like Mary, we may feel unprepared, uncertain, and even fearful when faced with the vastness of divine mystery. Yet, in saying ‘yes’, openness can become a vessel for something far greater than ourselves. This story encourages us to listen, trust, and recognize that even in our ordinary, humble lives, God’s extraordinary grace can unfold.
PRAYER