Today's Gospel - March 26, 2012 with Reflection

1^ST READING - Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10

P S A L M - Psalm 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 11

R: Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

2^ND READING - Hebrews 10:4-10

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Word of God became flesh and made his dwelling among us; and we saw his glory.

Luke 1:26-38

26 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35 And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

SABBATH

WHERE ARE YOU CALLED TO SAY YES TO? I remember the story of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She was set in her mission as a school teacher but her encounter with the poor and the Gospel shook her world and led to a new calling: to serve the poorest of the poor. This is where she found Jesus. I remember Joey Velasco who was afflicted with sickness. This became the turning point in his life, to discover Jesus once more in the eyes of the poor. He found a renewed calling: to paint Jesus in the world of the street kids, the neglected farmers, and other marginalized sectors of society. Mary was faced with a similar challenge: Will she take on the role as the mother of Jesus, who is the Son of God? Mary’s world was all set. She was destined to marry Joseph. But now she is called to a new role: to be the mother of the Savior. Initially, she was afraid what this future will look like. I suppose she was scared of what this new role would entail. Who is she to be given this big responsibility? Isn’t she an ordinary young person engaged to an ordinary young man for an ordinary married life? Second, Mary is assured of the Holy Spirit who will overshadow her. The Holy Spirit is a source of new power, a new presence in the life of the prophets, Jesus and the disciples. Mary was also assured that nothing is impossible with God. Even Elizabeth was to give birth in her seemingly old age! Mary was being assured of new power and presence. And the Holy Spirit is an assurance of God’s loving presence. Third, Mary responded with the gift of cooperating with her yes to God: “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me as you say.” The psalm echoes the same obedience to God’s will: “Here I come to do your will.” We are all called to say yes to something or Someone. Our yes defines our future.Fr. Teodulo P. Gonzales, S.J REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is your experience of new challenges in your life? How have you been assured of God’s Spirit? What are you being called to say yes to right now? Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to say yes to Your will for my life, no matter how unclear it is. Blessed Didacus of Cadiz, pray for us.  Do you want to receive this in your email?  To get Bo Sanchez to send it to you personally, log-on to http://kerygmafamily.com. Lots of surprises await.