He’s Patiently Awaiting For Our Permission

On this Solemnity of the Annunciation, we celebrate the incarnation of Jesus: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (from The Angelus).

At this precise moment in history, God became part of humanity in order to show how much he loves us. But this loving gesture only came about due to the sin of our common parents. As we are reminded in the Easter Vigil Mass, “O truly necessary sin of Adam…O happy fault, that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer.” Through the pride and sin of one man, our world falls into darkness waiting for one man–Jesus, the Light of the World–to redeem us and open the gates of heaven.

God accomplishes all this through Mary, the new Eve. At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel unveils God’s plan for the salvation of the world to a humble Virgin, betrothed to a righteous man. God waited, all of Heaven waited, for her Fiat: “may it be done to me according to your Word.”

With her yes, Mary gave of her body and blood, so that one day her Son could give us his. And just as Jesus chose to come us through his Blessed Mother, so can we go through Mary, to Jesus. So many of the saints who have gone before us tell us we can never love Mary more than Jesus did, but we can rely on her help and intercession as we turn our lives to Christ.

Just as God waited for Mary’s yes, He patiently awaits our permission to work in our lives. His love is never forced upon us, but an invitation…

Is God calling you to say yes to him in a certain way, to give Him a part of your life you’ve been holding back?

Ideas for celebrating the Annunciation with your family:

• Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary, really focusing on the first mystery, The Annunciation.
• Bake or buy a special dessert to mark the occasion.
• Pray for the unborn and their mothers and fathers. If you are able to, donate diapers, formula, or your time to your local pregnancy resource center.

Andi Compton hails from San Diego where she is married to her beloved Matthew, mother to five children, and is always planning a party. She is the Business Director for Spoken Bride, a Catholic Wedding & Lifestyle Blog for engaged and newlywed couples.

Photo credit: Rae & Michael Photography