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 for ever, 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
God invites me to draw close, not because of my worthiness
or in thanks for my efforts, but in a generous sharing of life. How will
responds at this time of prayer?
Do I give myself wholeheartedly to God?