Sunday, April 7, 2013

Solemnity of the Annunciation, Monday, April 8, 2013



Reflection:  We see a beautiful reminder of God’s desire for our love and our obedience.  We saw this obedience from Jesus in His death on the cross, and we see this same obedience in Mary as she responds to the Angel Gabriel’s message by saying:  “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.”  While Mary was troubled by the Angel’s greeting, and our Lord sweat blood in the garden before His death, they trusted God and faithfully obeyed His will for their lives.  Our society has come to view obedience as a sign of weakness, but our faith shows us that it is only through obedience to God’s will that we will find greatness.  Let us pray that God would give us the grace and the courage to have “ears open to obedience” and to proudly proclaim “here I am, Lord; I come to do your will” when our Lord calls upon us to trust and to obey.

Reflection for younger saints:  Mary gives us a great example of obedience.  God asked her to do something that was a little scary for her, but because she loved and trusted God she did what He asked her to do. 

Big Picture:  I come to do your will

Discussion Starters:
     Younger saints:
  What was the name of the Angel that visited Mary?  What did he tell her?  Today we read about Mary saying “yes” to what God asked of her.  What is it called when we listen to what God and our parents ask us to do?  (obedience.)
     Older saints:  Take a few minutes to re-read the Gospel, focusing on Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel.  Reflect on what it meant for Mary when she obeyed God.  How have you lived out Mary and Jesus’ example of obedience to God’s will?

Fun Fact:  God is eternal, meaning that He always was, always will be, and always remains the same (St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 1, 2008, p. 17).

Saint of the day: 
     Name:
 Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
     What they are remembered for:  Today we celebrate the day the angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary to announce she would be the mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  As we look toward Easter, we celebrate Mary’s “yes” and what that means for our salvation.  Take time today to reflect on what God has asked of you in your life, and how you can follow Mary’s example in telling God “yes”.
         
Daily Notes:
 

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