The Good News of Our Salvation

Readings: 1^st: Is 7:10-14; 8:10. 12; Ps: 40; 2^nd: Heb 10:4-10 Gos: Lk 1:26-38

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com

Today, the Church celebrates the solemnity of annunciation. This solemnity is the forerunner of Christmas, which is celebrated nine months after the Archangel Gabriel brought the news to Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus Christ.

The story of the annunciation takes us from the temple, a holy place par excellence, to the house, to the intimacy of a personal meeting of God with humanity. It leads us into the deepest part of our being and our story, where God alone can touch us.

While, the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist opened the barren womb of Elizabeth, the announcement of the birth of Jesus, knocks on the door of a fertile womb of Mary, the one who is “full of grace.”

Hence, today it suffices to reflect on the incarnation of God in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary in order to save humanity. It is true that, God could have become man in any number of ways.

However, our Lord chose to become human like us. While God made this very important decision and choice, it is very important to applaud Mary’s gift of complete self-donation to God and humanity.

Of course, God created and owns every one of us. However, he does not force his will on anyone. He created us free beings. This is why the “yes” of Mary becomes very important. She freely accepted the mission by submitting her will to God.

So, by submitting her will to God, Mary accepted to become the new ark of God’s new covenant with humanity. She cooperated with God in his plan for the salvation for humanity.

So, today’s solemnity is very important in the history of our salvation. It did not only bring the good news that God was going to save the world, but that, he was going to do it in a most humble way, by being like us.

Finally, today is one of the only two days in the Church’s celebration each year, when we kneel at the recitation of the Creed at Mass. So, to highlight the importance of the incarnation and God’s humble act, we also reciprocate this humility and wonder, by bowing our heads and bending our knees at the reciting of the words: “By the power of the Holy Spirit, was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.”

Peace be with you all

Maranatha!