SERMON/ REFLECTION/HOMILY ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUCIATION OF THE LORD 8TH APRIL 2024

 SERMON/ REFLECTION/HOMILY ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUCIATION OF THE LORD 8TH APRIL 2024

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps.40; Heb.10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38

Our role in the Annunciation!

 _Ordinarily, the solemnity of the Annunciation is celebrated March 25 every year. But due to the fact that the date occurred during Holy week this year, the celebration was moved to this day._ 

The birth of Christ into this world meant the physical presence of God in human space and time. Now, since this God is the King of kings, it only makes sense that His coming is not only announced as its done for earthly kings, but also be announced in a manner that it has and can never be done for any earthly king. The coming of Christ needed to be announced because Christ is the king of the universe. While the flute player, musician or aide will announced the coming of earthly kings, only God Himself can announce His own coming. This means that it is not man who makes God glorified. God is glorified in Himself and by Himself.

It was also important that the coming of Christ be announced in a unique way in order to distinguish it from every other birth. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah prophesied: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son. This statement could have been understood differently. It could have been taken to mean that the mother of the messiah will be a virgin until she marries and gives birth. If it were so, kudos to the mother of the messiah who kept her virginity till marriage. But then, this is something that many more persons have done. So, nothing would have been unique about the Incarnation.

In the gospel reading, we come to understand better the prophecy of Isaiah, namely: that the mother of the messiah will be a virgin before, during and after the birth of the messiah. This is so uncommon and unexpected. While we honour Mary for her purity, we cannot but recognize the Power of God at work in a unique way: Jesus was conceived without the sexual cooperation of a man. It therefore means that though man (Mary) cooperated in the incarnation, man (Joseph) was never the cause of the incarnation. Essentially, God became man by Himself. Beloved, it is good we put in our best in whatever we do, but let us never be oblivious of the part that only God can play. In all you do, pray and work.

The cooperation of Mary in the incarnation is noteworthy. It is clear that it was at the visit of the angel that Mary became aware of God’s plan for her. It means that Mary did not keep herself pure because she wanted to be mother of God. She kept herself pure because it was simply the right thing to do. Again, at that time, Mary was already betrothed to Joseph. Yet, she will not give that as a reason to defile herself. Today, many have legitimized fornication under the canopy of dating or engagement. The God who created marriage did not approve pre-marital sex as part of preparation for it.

Beloved, God does not want a cosmetic love/Christianity from us; because it is not real. If we are waiting to know God’s plan for us before we live well, then we are being cosmetic. Already, God has a plan for everyone He has created. So while we gradually behold this plan, let us live our best possible lives so that whatever be God’s plan for us, we will fit well into it. Living rightly is a way of continually announcing the Lord in the world today. This is our bounded duty!

From Mary too we learn submissiveness. This means that at every point in time, we must be ready to give up our will/plans for the ultimate will of God. Sometimes this can be difficult especially if we have gone far in strategizing for ourselves. Mary too had plans for her life; she was betrothed to Joseph. But then, we must bear in mind that we are made for the Lord. Plan your life, but if the Lord decides otherwise, submit to Him. Remember: those who leave everything in God’s hands will always see God’s hands in everything. Mary’s life is a testimony to this truth!