1ST READING
A week ago, we celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph. Now we remember one of the mysteries associated with the life of Mary. This is an important part of our faith. As we reflect upon the response of a young girl to a request from God, we should be inspired by her faith and obedience. If all of us could be a little more like Mary, perhaps the world would be a much better place than it is today.
Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying: 11 “Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!” 12 But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” 13 Then Isaiah said: “Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, 10 which means ‘God is with us!’”
P S A L M
Psalm 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 11
R: Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
6 [7] Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; 7 [8] then said I, “Behold I come. (R) “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, 8 [9] to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” (R) 9 [10] I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know. (R) 10 [11] Your justice I kept not hid within my heart; your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of; I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth in the vast assembly. (R)
2ND READING
Sacrificial offerings in the Old Testament under the Old Covenant were very bloody and messy. This all changed with the coming of Jesus. He made it quite clear that faith and obedience to God are far more important and effective than the shedding of the blood of goats and bulls and a variety of other animals. Our sins required a much greater sacrifice than the blood of animals. It took the life of the Son of God to redeem us.
Hebrews 10:4-10
4 Brothers and sisters: It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins. 5 For this reason, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight in. 7 Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.’” 8 First
he says, “Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in.” These are offered according to the law. 9 Then he says, “Behold, I come to do your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
GOSPEL
It is too much to think that Mary was able to say her “yes” without the help of the grace of God. In a mysterious way she has received the benefits of the death and resurrection of her Son, Jesus, even before He was born. Yes, He pre-existed His birth, as He is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. How the grace of God works is beyond our understanding. Let us just trust that it does, and get on with following God’s will for us.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Word of God became flesh and made his dwelling among us; and we saw his glory.
Luke 1:26-38
26 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35 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. 36 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; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 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.
BLESSING
LIST
think: If all of us could be a little more like Mary, perhaps the world would be a much better place than it is today.
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Genesis 40-42
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