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| “Virgin of the Annunciation” by Antonello da Messina, c. 1470’s |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
Commentary on Is 7:10-14; 8:10
In the first part of this reading, the prophet attempts to reassure the king as Jerusalem comes under threat of attack from Syria. King Ahaz is offered a sign by the Prophet Isaiah. However, Ahaz refuses the sign because it would indicate that God was intervening on the prophet’s side and he did not want to do that.
The sign that would be given, in spite of the King’s refusal, is the oracle we understand referring to the perfect realization of the promise of a Davidic Dynasty in the birth of the Messiah – Christ Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary.
“The sign proposed by Isaiah was concerned with the preservation of Judah in the midst of distress (cf Isaiah 7:15, 17), but more especially with the fulfillment of God's earlier promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) in the coming of Immanuel (meaning, "With us is God") as the ideal king (cf Isaiah 9:5-6; 11:1-5). The Church has always followed St. Matthew in seeing the transcendent fulfillment of this verse in Christ and his Virgin Mother.”[4]
"The child, the son, is the most significant part of the sign. If the prophecy refers to the son of Ahaz, the future King Hezekiah, it would be indicating that his birth will be a sign of divine protection, because it will mean that the dynasty will continue. If it refers to another child, not yet known, the prophet's words would mean that the child's birth could manifest hope that 'God was going to be with us,' and his reaching the age of discretion (v. 16) would indicate the advent of peace; the child's birth would, then, be the sign that 'God is with us.' In the New Testament, the deeper meaning of these words find fulfillment: Mary is Virgin and Mother, and her Son is not a symbol of God's protection but God himself who dwells among us."[5]
CCC: Is 7:14 497
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11
R. (8a and 9a) Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Commentary on Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11
While Psalm 40 is a song of thanksgiving, it is also combined with a lament. The initial waiting is satisfied by favor shown by God to one who is faithful in service to Him. These strophes sing the thanksgiving of those who hear the voice of God and obey his words. This obedience is loved by God above ritual sacrifices. The Lord especially loves those who follow his law. Once heard, the good news is proclaimed to all the people.
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Reading II: Hebrews 10:4-10
Commentary on Heb 10:4-10
Sacrifices traditionally offered in the Hebrew Temple are refuted as an ineffective act to take away sins. Psalm 40 is quoted here by the author and applied as if it were Jesus addressing God, the Father. The intent is to stress the scriptural understanding that the Hebrew practice of animal sacrifice does not find favor with God and that Jesus’ sacrifice of his own body is the one and only sacrifice acceptable.
CCC: Heb 10:5-10 606; Heb 10:5-7 462, 516, 2568; Heb 10:5 488; Heb 10:7 2824; Heb 10:10 614, 2824
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Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Commentary on Lk 1:26-38
This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel is the story of Mary being informed by the Archangel Gabriel that she has been chosen for the great privilege of bearing the Savior of the World. St. Mary graciously accepts this honor, although with very human fear indicating that her free will is at play. This response makes her obedience to God’s will more powerful. It is proposed that, with this acceptance, Mary entered into a vow of perpetual virginity because of the demands of Isaiah 7:14 : “Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel."
In St. Luke’s story of the Annunciation, the Archangel Gabriel comes to Mary and tells her she will bear a son and names him Jesus (the eternal implication of this statement is made clear in the greeting which presupposes knowledge of Mary’s entire existence). Mary confirms the title “Virgin” given by the author as she questions Gabriel saying: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” Even though she does not understand, Mary accepts her role and is told that the Holy Spirit will be the agent of the life within her. She then utters those amazing words: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
This announcement is parallel to Zechariah’s news about John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-23), which is also delivered by the Angel Gabriel. This passage clearly identifies Jesus as Son of David and Son of God, thus linking it with the messianic predictions from the Old Testament.
CCC: Lk 1:26-38 497, 706, 723, 2571; Lk 1:26-27 488; Lk 1:26 332; Lk 1:28-37 494; Lk 1:28 490, 491; Lk 1:31 430, 2812; Lk 1:32-33 709; Lk 1:32 559; Lk 1:34 484, 497, 505; Lk 1:35 437, 484, 486, 697; Lk 1:37-38 494; Lk 1:37 148, 269, 273, 276; Lk 1:38 64, 148, 510, 2617, 2677, 2827, 2856
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Reflection:
To our thinking, it is ironic that the Solemnity of the Annunciation should fall in late March, a time in the liturgical calendar that sometimes puts it in the middle of Lent and at others after Easter. The event itself, should Christ’s story be told chronologically, would be at the very beginning. The Annunciation, after all, is the story of the Lord’s conception by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) says this about the Annunciation:
484 The Annunciation to Mary inaugurates "the fullness of time", the time of the fulfillment of God's promises and preparations. Mary was invited to conceive him in whom the "whole fullness of deity" would dwell "bodily". The divine response to her question, "How can this be, since I know not man?", was given by the power of the Spirit: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you."
As is implied by this statement, the visit Mary received from the Archangel Gabriel sets in motion a series of events that fulfills God’s plan from the beginning. It is God’s final revelatory act of love and mercy, given to his creation that they (we) might accept the inheritance he has prepared for us.
Think of it! It all depends on a young girl, Mary, accepting God’s offer (it is in fact an offer, not a pronouncement). And what was that incredible offer? Mary had to know that conceiving a child at that time in her life without a husband could mean her death by stoning, the punishment prescribed by Law for an adulteress. Yet her response is so humble and simple: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
With that humble act of faith, Mary establishes herself as the first of the saints. Her example of selfless love provides an avenue of grace that fills her and assures her a preeminent place in the heavenly kingdom.
On this solemn feast day dedicated to the Annunciation, we thank God for his act of love in sending his only Begotten Son into the world. We thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for choosing to become man, and at the same time to become the sacrifice that takes away our sins. And we thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for making her courageous decision and accepting the path offered to her.
Pax
In other years on this date: Monday of the Second Week of Easter
[1] The picture used is “Virgin of the Annunciation” by Antonello da Messina, c. 1470’s
[4] See NAB footnote on Isaiah 7: 10ff
[5] The Navarre Bible: “Major Prophets”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, pp.73
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