1ST READING
There
is much we can say about this text but we must begin with its original
meaning that within nine months (from conception to birth of a child)
the siege on Jerusalem will be lifted. It is a moment of redemption in
the reign of King Azariah, just as the birth of Jesus to Mary will be
the beginning of the ultimate redemption of mankind. Prophecies always
have time-conditioned meanings that may or may not be immediately
relevant to another time.
Isaiah 7:10-14
10 The Lord spoke to Ahaz: 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 men, must you also
weary my God? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.
P S A L M
Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R: Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
1 The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. 2 For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (R) 3 Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place? 4 He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is
clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. 6 Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. (R)
GOSPEL
Once
more we are invited to reflect upon Mary’s yes to God’s will for her
life. We should come back to this event often as it is good to remind us
that, just like Mary, the basis for our own faith rests in our
surrender to God’s will. Let us pray for the grace to surrender our
lives to God each day. This will help us to grow in humility and
obedience to His will.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month, 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.
TODAY’S
BLESSING
think: Just like Mary, the basis for our own faith rests in our surrender to God’s will.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
____________________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
____________________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Obadiah and Jonah
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