Dean Christine shares a reflection to mark the Feast of the Annunciation.
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The feast of the Annunciation marks the conception of Christ in the womb of Mary and has been celebrated in the Church at least since the late fourth century. The story of the announcement of the coming of God made flesh in the person of his Son, Jesus the Christ, the Anointed One, is heard in the gospel of Luke (Luke 1.26-38).
What’s truly remarkable and often referred to is the calmness and complete obedience with which Mary accepts the responsibility. It would have been easy, perhaps natural, for her to run away, both physically and spiritually but she stands fast, “Here am I”. This is one of the most profound scriptural statements about holding the course when things get rough, standing with God even in the face of great fear and uncertainty.
What Mary has recognized through her obedience is that we are not our own, ultimately we are God’s. From that day to this, both heaven and earth were changed.
We beseech you, O Lord,
pour your grace into our hearts,
that as we have known the incarnation
of your Son Jesus Christ
by the message of an angel,
so by his cross and passion
we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
