Daily Thought For March 25, 2022

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 On The Solemnity of the Annunciation


First Reading: Is 7:10–14; 8:10

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 40:7–8a, 8b–9, 10, 11

Second Reading: Heb 10:4–10

Gospel: Lk 1:26–38

The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore once observed that the birth of every child is a sign that God has not given up on the world. In a sense, that is the meaning of the oracle with which the prophet Isaiah confronts King Ahaz in today’s first reading. The birth of a child, perhaps even a royal son, will be a sign that God remains with the people of Judah in their present crisis that is exacerbated by the faithlessness of their king. Therefore, the child will be named “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us” (Mt 1:23; see Is 7:14).

The angel Gabriel announces the same news to Mary in today’s Gospel. The message contains two parts. The first renews God’s firm promise to David’s house by announcing the birth of a royal son: “The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father … and of his Kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:32–33). But there is more. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,” the angel tells Mary. “Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (v. 35). For this there is no precedent in the house of David or the history of Israel. This is not old news, but Good News (Gospel), to which Mary says, “May it be done to me according to your word” (v. 38).

Celia Sirois, Word of Life: Daily Scripture Companion (Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 2008), 547.

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