Luke 1:26–38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God
to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name
was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to
her and said, "Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you." But
she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this
might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have
found favour 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." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am
a virgin?" The angel said to her, "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 holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative
Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month
for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with
God." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be
with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Reflection
Can I plumb the meaning of God made man?
Can my mind try to follow Mary’s in her joy and
astonishment?