Solemnity of The Annunciation

Beads of Joy 03-25-11

Solemnity of The Annunciation
©2011 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

Today is a wonderful day of celebration. Mary was chosen, and she said Yes. Yes to God's will in her life, and Yes for the world to be saved; through the sacrifice of her own life, allowing God to use her as the earthly vessel Jesus shall come into this world. A new era has begun. The one favored by God was chosen on this day, but she was scared (actually troubled). But after a brief explanation, Mary no longer questioned anything that was about to happen; instead she fully trusted and embraced God's will, never once thinking about herself, or her safety. It's been said that Mary eagerly, willingly surrendered to God's will. What an absolutely blessed example for us to follow. For the grace she was given allowed her to be willing and obedient at God's request.

She is truly the most blessed Mother and Queen for us to love. Mary's open readily response to fulfill God's request, needs to really be an example we look at and reflect upon often. Mary could have easily been stoned to death, separated and discarded by Joseph in shame, to be never respected by anyone ever again should she have even lived. Mary's slightest tiny thought of fear when she was troubled by the news, was easily washed away knowing she was chosen and favored by God to bring His Son into the world. It's a mystery that is at times unexplainable, and that one can't fully figure out the depths of its truest meaning. So today let us celebrate Mar'sy complete trust in God, as she begins her life's purpose of bringing Jesus into the world.

Reflections from The Catechism of The Catholic Church:
64. "Through the prophets, God forms his people in the hope of salvation, in the expectation of a new and everlasting Covenant intended for all, to be written on their hearts. The prophets proclaim a radical redemption of the People of God, purification from all their infidelities, a salvation which will include all the nations. Above all, the poor and humble of the Lord will bear this hope. Such holy women as Sarah, Rebeca, Rachel, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Judith and Esther kept alive the hope of Israel's salvation. The purest figure among them is Mary."

492. "The 'splendor of an entirely unique holiness' by which Mary is 'enriched from the first instant of her conception' comes wholly from Christ: she is 'redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son'. The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person 'in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places' and chose her 'in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love'."

504. "Jesus is conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary's womb because he is the New Adam, who inaugurates the new creation: 'The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.' From his conception, Christ's humanity is filled with the Holy Spirit, for God 'gives him the Spirit without measure.' From 'his fullness' as the head of redeemed humanity 'we have all received, grace upon grace."

507. "At once virgin and mother, Mary is the symbol and the most perfect realization of the Church: 'the Church indeed. . . by receiving the word of God in faith becomes herself a mother. By preaching and Baptism she brings forth sons, who are conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of God, to a new and immortal life. She herself is a virgin, who keeps in its entirety and purity the faith she pledged to her spouse."

Today's Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 (The Birth of Jesus Foretold)
"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" And the angel said to her, "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. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the Handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her."

Questions To Ponder Today:
-Can we understand to our Blessed Mothers experience?
-This experience draws us so close to Mary, why?
-How familiar are you with your bible?
-Consider praying the Rosary every day.
(Today take the time just looking through your bible.)
Get familiar with the old and new testaments.
Revitalize that excitement inside your heart for scripture.


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO

Today we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries

1. Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. Crowing with Thorns
4. Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion of Jesus