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

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary

Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:20

Today we celebrate Joseph, the Earthly father of Jesus. He was a brave man. Here is his fiance, a virgin, who is all of a sudden pregnant before their wedding. Then, in a dream, he is spoken to by an angel who says he is to become the father of child who will become the Savior of the world! Talk about being overwhelmed!! This was a lot for poor Joseph to have to swallow. But he heeded the angels words. "When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife (Mary) into his home." (Mt 1:24, NAB).

And then there is Mary. This young girl who is engaged to a carpenter, being chosen by God to bear His holy child! How was she going to tell Joseph? And would he even believe her!?!? Would he still love her and want to marry her? I can't even begin to imagine how Mary must've felt. 

Todays readings are a story of hope and faith. Trusting that God knows what He's doing. To have hope in knowing that God is bringing us through whatever it is that we may be struggling with. To be strong, to wake up every day and know that whatever it is we may encounter during our day, we are not doing it alone. Remember Joseph and Mary and the awesome responsibility thrust upon them. Kind of makes whatever it is we are going through seem not so bad. It puts everything in a whole new perspective. 

Today, pray for God's guidance in your life. Give Him your burdens. Pray to Joseph. Pray to Mary. Be reminded of what they did. And remember Jesus, who suffered and died for us. As always folks, be a nice human. 

Father Bill has some interesting facts about Joseph. Have a listen to what he has to say about today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FXuNN9HroI  **Remember, you have to copy and paste link into your browser.**

Image: "The Dream of St. Joseph", Anton Raphael Mengs (1773/1774)