 | |||||
| The Annunciation |
Six
months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent
by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth
from the Temple a mature maiden . According
to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph
four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord
is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration,
and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she
had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension
and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and
believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be
it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came
upon her, and the power of the Most high overshadowed her all-blameless womb,
and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past
speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke
1:26-38).
Bearing
in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from
Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for
she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her,
because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her
old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the
Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted
Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt
her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of
the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy
Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice
blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved
by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior,
saying: "My soul doth magnify the
Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as
the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)
Reading copyright Holy
Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.
(from the GOARCH: iconograms.org)
When the Angel Gabriel came to Mary to announce that she was chosen to be the Mother of God, she had two choices: to say YES or NO. We know that she eventually said, "Yes."
Everyday we are given several opportunities by God. We have two choices, as well: YES or NO.
We should not be afraid to accept God's requests. He is constantly with us. He will never leave us alone.
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not
frightened, neither be dismayed; for the LORD your God is with you
wherever you go."
Genesis 28:18
"Know that I am with you
and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land;
for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
