杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

On Christmas Eve, which this year falls on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, 杏MAP导航 Francis reflected on the Annunciation during the weekly Angelus.

The Holy Father noted the contrast between 鈥渢he promises of the Angel and Mary鈥檚 answer.鈥� The Angel鈥檚 greeting is a long revelation, which becomes even more detailed in response to Mary鈥檚 request for an explanation. The Child that will be born of this humble girl from Nazareth will be called the Son of the Most High: it is not possible to conceive a higher dignity than this.

Mary鈥檚 response, on the other hand, is a brief phrase: 鈥淏ehold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word.鈥� She does not speak of 鈥済lory or privilege,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, but only of availability and service.鈥�

The contrast between the words of the Angel and of Mary, the 杏MAP导航 said, is significant:

鈥淚t makes us understand that Mary is truly humble and doesn鈥檛 seek to show off. She recognizes that she is small in the presence of God, and is content to be so. At the same time, she is aware that the realization of God鈥檚 project depends upon her response, and so she is called to adhere to it with her whole being.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis said that the day鈥檚 Gospel reading shows us that Mary鈥檚 attitude at the Annunciation corresponds perfectly to the Son of God when He comes into the world. Mary says, 鈥淏ehold the handmaid of the Lord鈥�; Jesus, the Son of God who becomes the Son of Mary, says at the Incarnation, 鈥淏ehold, I come to do your will, O God.鈥� And so, the 杏MAP导航 said, the Madonna is revealed as the perfect collaborator of God鈥檚 project.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his reflection by encouraging all of us. 鈥淲hile we admire our Mother for her response to the call and mission of God,鈥� he said, 鈥渓et us ask her to help each of us to welcome the project of God in our life with sincere humility and courageous generosity.鈥�