A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38
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. Reflection: "May it be done to me according to your word."
Day 9 Advent
Through the grace of God Mary was spared from the taint of original sin the moment she was conceived. It was defined as a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church in 1854. The commemoration of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8.
We honor Mary this day. She had profound faith as she could not understand what the Angel Gabriel was announcing. Yet, she said, "Yes". This young girl had her plans to wed Joseph, yet God chose a different plan for her. She was asked to bring Jesus into this world. And her yes brought the Son of God to earth and therefore our redemption. And for thirty years she cared for Him.
Mary is the most powerful intercessor to Jesus, her Son. Ask her to help you get closer to God. Ask her to intercede for your needs. Ask her to pray for you. Imitate her and say "yes" to God's will.
God Bless You
