THURSDAY 25TH MARCH 2021
SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD
Isaiah 7:10-14,8:10
Psalm 39:7-11
Hebrew 10:4-10
Luke 1:26-38
A VIRGIN IS WITH CHILD
The solemnity of the Annunciation celebrates the beginning of our salvation. St Paul tells us in Gal 4:4, that at the fullness of time, God sent his son, born of a woman under the law, to take away our sins. The first reading of today recounts the moment of crisis in Israel, when God promised to send his son to save them from oppression and sin. King Ahaz was about to go to war against their enemies, and he was tempted to go and seek alliance with other nations to defeat their enemy, but the prophet Isaiah told him to depend on God, for he is the only one who can save them.
As a sign that God is ready to save us, the prophet Isaiah told them that a virgin is with child and will give birth and name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us. God is truly with us in moments of fear and uncertainty.
This prophecy of Isaiah comes to pass in the gospel reading of today. It is exactly 9 months to Christmas, and the Angel Gabriel announces the plan of God to the virgin Mary that she is the virgin spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, who is to be the mother of the saviour of the world. Mary expresses her willingness to carry God in her womb and give birth on Christmas day.
As St Paul tells us in the second reading, God had prepared a body (the blessed virgin Mary) for his son to accomplish this mission of saving us. Since our mother Mary said yes and accepted to be the mother of our saviour, we are assured of our salvation, and God who is always with us will save us from whatever threatens us. Let us therefore continue to hope and trust in God, because he alone is our salvation.
Lord, save us from all that threatens us. Help us to look up to you, for in you is our help and salvation. Amen
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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