READ
LK 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
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UNDERSTAND
By Father Greg Friedman, OFM
You are in on the greatest secret of all time! A mystery hidden for many ages! What is this secret—this mystery? According to St. Paul writing to the Romans in today’s Second Reading, it’s the gospel Paul preaches—the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The Romans along with Paul’s Jewish kinfolk and the rest of the world, are now in on this revelation—as we are today. Our other two readings—spanning the Old and New Testaments—give us that revelation as God first makes a promise, then fulfills it.
From the Hebrew Scriptures, we hear the promise made by God to King David. With one of the Bible’s great puns, God takes David’s offer to build an earthly “house”—a temple for God to live in—and turns it around. God instead will build a “house” for David—a family dynasty which will last forever.
The promise comes true in the Gospel story of the Annunciation. The child who will be born of Mary of Nazareth will be the heir of David. In Jesus Christ the “house” of David continues, and God will dwell forever with the human family. We twenty-first century Christians are so often caught up in our contemporary reality, and the very real and often-troubling history unfolding around us, that we can forget that God has intervened in that history. Let’s allow that staggering revelation to catch us up and give us hope.
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DISCUSS
By Father Dan Kroger, OFM
In the first reading (II Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16), the prophet Nathan was sent to tell King David something very important. What was it?
Nathan is told to tell King David that one of his descendants will be like a son to God and God will be a father to him. Who is that one going to be?
In this week’s second reading (Rom 16:25-27), Paul ends his letter with a blessing. How does Paul say that God has made known God’s plan?
Who was sent from God to Mary, according to this week’s Gospel?
Mary was greatly troubled by the Angel Gabriel’s greeting. What did Gabriel tell Mary?
Mary is told she will have a child who will rule over the house of Jacob forever. Did Mary ask the angel Gabriel any question?
What was Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel?
ACT
In this week’s Gospel, we hear the story of Mary’s “yes.” In the spirit of Mary, say “yes” to one thing this week that is out of your comfort zone.
Ask your mom to share photos of when she was pregnant with you. Ask her about when she found out she was pregnant with you and how she reacted.
