Monday – Feast of the Annunciation

Gospel – Luke 1:26-38

A Leap of Faith

Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth

There was a town suffering through a severe drought, months and months of no rain.  Their crops were all dead and dying; their wells were drying up.  They were at their wits end.  So they decided to pray for rain.  They all gathered in the town square for the prayer service.  Every single one of the townspeople showed up.  But only one of them, a little boy, showed up with an umbrella!!

Now that is faith, real faith!  He didn’t just believe; he acted on that belief!  That is one way to look at today’s Feast Day!  We celebrate today the Feast of the Annunciation!  Mary had every reason not to believe such incredible news from the Angel Gabriel, news that went far beyond any human logic or reasoning.

And yet Mary said YES!  She expressed her faith in words: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to Your Will”!  But this was not merely a simple OK, not a string of syllables.  This was Mary placing herself completely in the hands of the Lord.  This was Mary committing herself to action, to a life of service to God.  Do with me what You will!  That is real faith, faith in words and in action.

May we continue to grow in faith to reflect the words of today’s responsorial Psalm!  May we all have the faith and the courage to say YES!  Here I am Lord; I come to do Your will!

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