Catechism Links[1]
CCC 484-494: The Annunciation
CCC 439, 496, 559, 2616: Jesus is the Son of David
CCC 143-149, 494, 2087: The “obedience of faith”
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“Annunciation” by Paolo Domenico Finoglia, 1630s
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Commentary:
Reading 1: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Commentary on 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Within the historical books of the Old Testament (1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 and 2 Maccabees), this passage is considered to have the most theological significance. Nathan’s Oracle, the establishment of the dynasty of King David, marks the beginning of the understanding of royal messianism, our first hint of the Messiah to come.
In this passage, Nathan is told to tell David that, while he would not build the Temple, his son (Solomon) would and that his (David’s) line would continue; “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”
"The Davidic covenant is the latest and greatest of the Old Testament covenants. Following the steady buildup of covenants between God and his people over the centuries, beginning with Adam and continuing with Noah, Abraham, and Moses, the divine covenant with David brings the biblical story to a theological highpoint. Each of these ancient covenants helps to prepare the way for messianic times, but Jewish and Christian traditions agree that hopes for a coming Messiah are anchored most explicitly in the Lord's covenant with David."[5]
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
R. (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Commentary on Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
Though Psalm 89 is a lament, this first section is prophetic and reiterates the establishment of the Davidic Dynasty. The intended support for 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 is clear. It is likely this hymn was sung entreating God, and reminding the people of the covenant between God and David to “…establish your throne for all generations.”
CCC: Ps 89 709
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Reading II: Romans 16:25-27
Commentary on Rom 16:25-27
This selection from the last chapter of St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans is part of what is known as “Letter of Recommendations to Phoebe.” It was probably sent to the Church in Ephesus as opposed to Rome. The selection is a doxology or short hymn to the Lord that concludes the letter (both the selection and the whole letter to the Romans) in praise of Christ Jesus.
CCC: Rom 16:25-27 2641; Rom 16:26 143, 1204, 2087
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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:
The candles of hope, love, and joy continue to shine and are finally joined by the candle of peace. With its lighting the flame shines brightly inviting the Prince of Peace to rule our hearts and minds.
Today we consider a young Virgin Mary. She is the daughter of Anne and Joachim, a pious and humble girl who is betrothed to a local carpenter, Joseph. She is, in her day, not a princess or a wealthy daughter of the secular nobility. She is just a young girl in a small town. Yes she must seem to her friends and family as unusually faith-filled and devoted to God. But beyond this singular devotion to God and its associated humility, there is nothing that raises her to national or social prominence; nothing that would cause a casual observer of the town to stop and take notice as she passed.
Up to the point in time described in St. Luke’s Gospel she has lead a reasonably normal life. Even she must have thought that her life would proceed normally. The appearance of Gabriel changed everything. At the moment it happened Mother Mary must have been surprised. Even the greeting; “Hail, full of grace!” must have taken her aback. “The Lord is with you.” The heavenly messenger brought the essence of God into her presence with a profound purpose. Yet the full magnitude of what was proposed must have come to her only after the angel had left her. She would certainly have known the prophecy. She would have, from her earliest upbringing, been told of the history of her people; how Moses led the people out of bondage; how they came to the land God had promised. She would have known about the great King David (she too was of his line) and how the prophets, including Nathan, had promised that a great savior of the people would come from him.
Sweet Mary would have recalled all of this either during or immediately following that miraculous visit. How crushing must have been that weight of history and prophecy. Generation upon generation had waited and hoped for the promise to be fulfilled. Even in her day the Zealots were looking for a great leader to rise up and, through force of arms, throw off the Roman yoke as King David had done so victoriously in battle, to unseat their puppet King Herod and lead the people to peace and freedom once more. She must have realized that God’s plan would disappoint these misguided patriots. Even before Simeon told her of the sorrow she would feel, she must have suspected much of her Son’s destiny.
It is this backdrop which makes her response so much more compelling for us. In the face of all of this knowledge and not even considering the social and religious consequences of coming to her betrothed with child, and the possible death sentence that could bring to her, she answered, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
It is her unquestioning faith we see flowing out of these words. She comes as God’s handmaid, his servant, concerned only with doing his will, unconcerned with the consequences for herself. Truly, at that moment, as the Holy Spirit placed within her womb the Christ Child to come, she experienced the peace of Him who brings peace to us.
Now as we look back at this event (for the second time in as many days) we look forward to our own acceptance of God’s call and the peace our hope, love, and joy in the Lord can bring.
Pax
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[2] The picture used is “Annunciation” by Paolo Domenico Finoglia, 1630s
[5] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, The First and Second Books of Samuel, © 2016, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. pp. 80
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