“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,* and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:16-36
COMMENTARY
The plan for our salvation originates with God. “….the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.”
The angel Gabriel addresses Mary, Hail, full of grace, identifying her and unveiling her hidden most being. Mary is not becoming full of grace; Mary is full of grace now! Mary was preserved from Original Sin from her conception through the anticipated merits of Jesus’ Passion and death.
Mary questioned the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” Mary would not have asked such a question unless she had made a vow of perpetual virginity which Joseph was willing to accept as conditions of their marriage.
Immediately, the angel calms the Virgin, solving her dilemma, by revealing to her the virginal conception will be accomplished in her by the work of the Holy Spirit, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee”
Mary’s virginal conception by the power of the Holy Spirit assures us that our Savior will have both a Divine Nature and a Human nature, Only God can make adequate atonement for our offenses against God. And only a Human nature may atone on behalf of humanity.
REFLECTIONS
The Angel Gabriel tries to calm Mary with the words Jesus used so often, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Do I live my life in fear or do I trust Jesus?
God has a mission for me like He did for Mary. I may not understand God’s plan but do I accept it? If not, why not? God loved me into existence for a reason Do I say to God be it done according to your will as Mary did?
As encouragement to Mary, the Angel Gabriel, gave Mary a sign of God’s omnipotence by announcing Mary’s elderly cousin, Elizabeth, afflicted with sterility all her life is now six months pregnant.
“And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Nothing is impossible for God! How does that affect my relationship with God. How do I interact with God and my neighbor?
MARIAN PRAYER
MEMORARE
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.