Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord 2020

Today we celebrate Mary's saying, 'Yes', to God in her consenting to become the mother of His only-begotten Son, Who then took flesh in her womb.

Let us too say, 'Yes', to God in His will for our lives, whatever that involves. Let us be open and listen attentively for, in silence, God does speak and He has an amazing plan for us.

The following is an extract on the incarnation from the Romances by St. John of the Cross:

Now that the time had come

when it would be good

to ransom the bride

serving under the hard yoke

of that law

which Moses had given her,

the Father, with tender love,

spoke in this way:

“Now you see, Son, that your bride

was made in your image,

and so far as she is like you

she will suit you well;

yet she is different, in her flesh,

which your simple being does not have.

In perfect love

this law holds:

that the lover become

like the one he loves;

for the greater their likeness

the greater their delight.

Surely your bride’s delight

would greatly increase

were she to see you like her,

in her own flesh.”

“My will is yours,”

the Son replied,

“and my glory is

that your will be mine.

This is fitting, Father,

what you, the Most High, say;

for in this way

your goodness will be more evident,

your great power will be seen

and your justice and wisdom.

I will go and tell the world,

spreading the word

of your beauty and sweetness

and of your sovereignty.

I will go seek my bride

and take upon myself

her weariness and labours

in which she suffers so;

and that she may have life,

I will die for her,

and lifting her out of that deep,

I will restore her to you.”

Then he called

the archangel Gabriel

and sent him to

the virgin Mary,

at whose consent

the mystery was wrought,

in whom the Trinity

clothed the Word with flesh;

and though Three work this,

it is wrought in the One;

and the Word lived incarnate

in the womb of Mary.

And he who had only a Father

now had a Mother too,

but she was not like others

who conceive by man.

From her own flesh

he received his flesh,

so he is called

Son of God and of man.