Full of Grace

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:30 NRSV


Today is the annunciation, which is also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Annunciotion of the Lord. This is when the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her that she would become the mother of Jersus Christ, the Son of God.

Mary is the first disciple. She brings us to a deep understanding of what discipleship is about. She shows what it means to die and live with the crucified Christ. Mary brought Jesus into the world. She brings Jesus to us leading us along with her right to the foot of the cross.

Grace didin't come to Mary because of her social status, family line or superior piety. Grace came to Mary because God is gracious. Period.

The words of the angel to Mary, in her very simple odinary ways, in her very simple ordinary life, are words to all of us. "Greetings favored one, the Lord is with you", and if like Mary we are confused we can be reassured by the words of the angel, "With God nothing is impossible".

Mary belongs in Lent as much as in Advent. The journey to the cross is the journey of God with us. It is a journey that begins and ends with the announcement that we are favored, that the Lord is with us and we are blessed.

Heavenly Father,
you have created us to serve you.
You sent your angel, Gabriel to announce your favor to Mary.
We ask Lord, that we with Mary, will find grace in your service.
In your name we pray. Amen.

Namaste'
Maureen