The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

"Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38).

Today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. A feast day in Lent: No fasting. No abstinence. What does the Annunciation of the Lord celebrate?
"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." (CCC 484).

Mary heard the word of God from the Archangel Gabriel and believed what she heard. In the first Reading today, King Ahaz heard the word of God from the Prophet Isaiah (7: 10 - 14) and did not believe. Mary believed and became Mother of Christ and our exemplar in faith. Ahaz exhibited unbelief and became a nonentity in history.

Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved.

"Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!
The Word became flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory.
Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!" (John 1: 14).

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