“Behold, I come to do your will”
Solemnity
of the Annunciation of the Lord
(Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38)
Today we celebrate the Annunciation of the Lord—that solemn
moment in human history when Angel Gabriel delivered the message to the Blessed
Virgin Mary and said to her, “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall call His name Jesus.” Oh! How beautiful on the mountains are the
feet of the messenger who brings news, who proclaims peace, who brings good
tidings, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ (Is
52:7). This glorious moment of annunciation was prefigured in the prophetic
message delivered to Ahaz, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a
son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
The Letter to the Hebrews highlights the end-purpose of the
Annunciation, which is the self-offering of Jesus. This offering of His whole
life breaks forth with the Annunciation like the rising sun. According to the
second reading of today, the self-offering of Jesus for our salvation is based,
not on the law, but on the will of God. “Behold, I have come to do your will.” This
surrendering to the will of God even unto death becomes the greatest sacrifice
that saves. “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of
the body of Jesus once for all.”
Like Mary, it is in surrendering to the will of God that we
share in the grace of the Annunciation and participate in the one sacrifice of
Jesus. At the end of the conversation, Mary said to the Angel, “Behold, I am
the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Her total
submission to the will of God is in line with the principle of Jesus’
self-sacrifice for our salvation. In order to receive the merits of the Cross,
we must dispose ourselves in accordance with the order in which the sacrifice
was offered, i.e. submission to the will of God. We must not allow our ego and
insatiable desires prevent us from submitting to the will of God.
Therefore, we fly to Mary’s protection and seek her perpetual
help as we await to receive the good news that our prayers are answered; our
prayers for good health, peace and unity in the world, improved wellbeing,
happy homes, etc. With Mary our model, we surrender to God’s will and relive the
beautiful and joyful moment of the Annunciation. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Thursday March 24rd, 2022.
Solemnity of Annunciation of the Lord
