THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD

Today's feast reminds us of the great event in history: the Incarnation of the Lord in the most pure womb of a Virgin. On this day, the Word became flesh and was united forever to the humanity of Jesus. The mystery of the Incarnation merits for Mary Most Holy her most beautiful title, that of "Mother of God," in Greek Theotokos, a name that the Eastern Church always inscribed in letters of gold, like a precious diadem on the foreheads of its painted images and statues. "Placed at the very limits of Divinity," for she provided the Word of God with the flesh to which He was hypostatically united, the Virgin has always been honored with a preeminent cult called "hyperdulia": the Son of the Father and the Son of the Virgin naturally become one and the same Son, says St. Anselm;  And since Mary the Virgin has been the queen of humankind, we should all venerate her.

Since the title of Mother of God makes Mary Plenipotentiary, let us ask her to intercede with Our Redeemer, so that through the merits of His Passion and His Cross, we may attain the glory of His Resurrection. Amen.

MEDITATION ON THE ANNUNCIATION

I. Today, Mary Most Holy is made Mother of God; her humility and purity have earned her this ineffable honor. How much joy it gives me, O divine Mary, to see you elevated to such a high rank of glory! And since you are the Mother of Jesus Christ Our Lord, you are also the Mother of Christians. Ah, how consoling this thought is! You are all-powerful to help me, because you are the Mother of God; you possess a heart overflowing with love for me, because you are my Mother.  I too, if I so desire, through faith and charity, can possess Jesus in my heart. The Virgin Mary gave birth to Christ according to the flesh; all Christians can give birth to Him in their hearts through faith (Saint Ambrose).

II. From this day forward, Jesus is our brother; the love He has for us makes Him like us, so that we may become like Him. He comes to earth so that we may go to Heaven. I adore You, Word incarnate in the virginal womb of Mary Most Chaste! Oh, that I had the power to do You a favor as precious as You have done for me! O most loving Brother and Redeemer, I offer You all my efforts and my works, my whole being.

III. Mary Most Pure is our Mother, Jesus our Brother: are we worthy children of Mary Immaculate, worthy brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ Our Lord?  Mary Most Holy is completely pure, humble, and obedient: do you possess these virtues? Our Lord Jesus Christ seeks in all things the glory of His Father and the salvation of souls: are you animated by the same zeal? Would Jesus not have reason to complain and say to His beloved Mother: “The sons of my Mother have fought against me”? (Song of Songs).

PRAYER

O God and Lord, who willed that Your Word should be incarnate in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the moment when, upon the Angel announcing this mystery to her, she pronounced her “Fiat,” grant that our prayers, as we honor her whom we firmly believe to be truly the Mother of God, may obtain the help of her intercession with You.

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.