Today we will examine the second line of the Angelus
The Angelus
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, and she conceived by the Holy Spirit. (Hail Mary)
Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to Thy word (Hail Mary)
(Bow your head and say) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. (Hail Mary)
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: Pour forth we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the incarnation of Christ Thy Son, was made know by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross, be brought to glory of His resurrection, through the same, Christ our Lord. Amen
Scripture for meditation: Luke 1:38
Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.” With that the angel left her.
Christ tells us: Luke 12:27-28
A woman from the crowd called out, “Blest is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” “Rather,” He replied, “blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it.”
Continuing with our study of Blessed John Paul’s comments in Theotokos:
Commenting on the episode of the annunciation, the Second Vatican Council gave special emphasis to the value of Mary’s assent to the divine messenger’s words. Unlike what occurs in similar biblical accounts, it was expressly awaited by the angel: “The Father of mercies willed that the Incarnation should be preceded by the acceptance of her who was predestined to be the mother of His Son…” (Lumen Gentium 56). By her conduct, Mary reminds each of us of our serious responsibility to accept God’s plan for our lives. In total obedience to the saving will of God expressed in the angel’s words, she became a model for those whom the Lord proclaims blessed, because they “hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28). In answering the woman in the crowd who proclaimed His mother blessed, Jesus disclosed the true reason for Mary’s blessedness: her adherence to God’s will, which led her to accept the divine motherhood. In a certain sense, therefore, Mary is proclaimed the first disciple of her Son and by her example invites all believers to respond generously to the Lord’s grace. Associated with Christ’s victory over the sin of our first parents, Mary appears as the true “mother of the living” (LG 56). Her motherhood, freely accepted in obedience to the divine plan, becomes a source of life for all humanity.
My thoughts: I wonder when I read Blessed John Paul’s account of the significance of Mary’s fiat if any of us truly understands the tremendous importance of our answers to God’s requests. When we hear God calling us, do we immediately respond with, “Be it done according to Your will”? I feel as though I usually will consent, and then come up with a blueprint for the way it all should work: God’s will on my terms, so to speak. Mary did not do this. She completely accepted God’s will as He stated it through the angel, and by doing so, saved humanity. It is worthy to ponder what might be accomplished in the world today if we but do God’s will His way.
Our prayer to God: As we say the Angelus today, let us pray that just as Mary was so willing to believe in and accept God’s will for her life, so we, too, may be able to offer our fiat to her Son when He calls us into action. Maranatha: Come Lord Jesus!
Don't forget to say your Christmas Novena 15 times today for your special intention!
Christmas Novena
Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
At which the Son of God was born
Of a most pure Virgin
At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem
In the piercing cold
At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,
To hear my prayers and grant my desires(mention request here).
Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother.
Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
At which the Son of God was born
Of a most pure Virgin
At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem
In the piercing cold
At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,
To hear my prayers and grant my desires(mention request here).
Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother.
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