Annunciation of the Lord

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!! Today we celebrate the news given to Mary that she would conceive a child, through a miraculous conception, a child who would be the Saviour of the world. It is also the second part of the Holy Trinity, where Jesus is the incarnation of God. This also fulfills the Old Testament prophecy, "Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel" (Is 7:14, NAB).  

Mary was speechless when the angel Gabriel told this to her. This humble young girl wondered why God would choose her. Once the news sank in, Mary made the conscious choice to serve her God, to carry this blessed Child. She proclaimed "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your word." (Lk 1:38, NAB) We can interpret her statement "according to Your word" as the will of God. Remember, "thy WILL be done". Not only is this to be done to her, but it will be what God orders. And her free will to accept this. 

Mary was a homemaker. She cooked, cleaned, cared for the animals. And Joseph, her "betrothed", was a carpenter. He went to work every day to provide for his family.

Yet, he was also chosen, however indirectly. When he had trouble believing how Mary could be pregnant if she were still a virgin, an angel came down and spoke to him as well, "Behold, the virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us'." (Mt 1:23, NAB).

How many of us would do what God calls us to do without question? Actually, we do it daily. Think of it. Each day you get up you chose to follow Jesus, to do what He expects from us. Every prayer uttered, every mention of His name.. This is Him guiding you through your every day life, just like Mary. 

Let us always remember what Mary did. May we mimic her, serving our Lord with humility and grace just as Mary did. Be Blessed, dear reader. And as always.... be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection for today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQycZRRP1Lk

Some more information on the annunciation: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/annunciation-of-the-lord

Cast Aside

Do you have siblings? If you do, you can understand what it is that Joseph is dealing with. Can you imagine your sibling disliking you so much that they plot your death? I'm sure as children, we've all had that fantasy at least once. I'm sure my own children may have had that thought a time or two. lol 

Joseph really suffers because his father favors him above his other children. Joseph's brothers ridicule him about his dream. They couldn't think of being subjects under Joseph's rule. It's more or less "you can't tell me what to do!" and Joseph saying that someday he will! The brothers' jealousy is so bad that they plot his death. But then they reconsider. After all, Joseph is their flesh and blood. So they decide to sell him. Now the brothers have to come up with some good excuse why Joseph is gone. So they decide to tell their father that he had been accidentally killed. Upon hearing this, their father is utterly devistated. I'm sure the brothers must've felt terrible seeing their father be so forelone and saddened. This is their punishment for their jealousy. This is something they will have to live with the rest of their lives.

We see a similar story play out in today's Gospel. We see what people will do when they are greedy or jealous. Jesus used this story to illustrate to that oftentimes it is the one who was cast aside, the one who has been forgotten who will have the most favor with Him in heaven. We should take comfort in this, especially if you are one of those people who always is left out, who is ignored, who isn't accepted by society. You may have to suffer for a time here on Earth, but be assured that you will be the favored one in heaven. Trust in Jesus. Place all your hurts and brokeness at His feet. Allow Him to hold you up. Let him fill the emptiness. You are loved and wanted by Jesus. And that's really all that matters.

Show kindness to all. Sometimes it takes just takes one word to make someone's day better. As I always remind you... be a nice human. 

Listen to Father Bill's take on today's readings. Then take some time to reflect on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tjV0KOzMn0