December 20, 2023 Reflection – Behold, I am the Handmaid of the Lord…

Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord

December 20, 2023

Dear Family of Mary!

I couldn’t resist sharing the Gospel for today! It is the Annunciation! Such a glorious moment! Actually a pivot upon which salvation turns. Our Lady’s yes changed all of history for every one of us! We can only recall it here with awe and tears of joy!

Luke 1:26-38:
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his ­father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” 

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.
The Gospel of the Lord.

May we all echo Our Lady’s yes to God, “Be it done to me according to your word!” It is not too late!

In Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
(c) Mary TV 2023