"We are halfway through our novena. Today, we stand before the most famous moment in history: The Annunciation. Our words are Mystery ,...
"We are halfway through our novena. Today, we stand before the most famous moment in history: The Annunciation. Our words are Mystery, Motherhood, and Magnanimity.
First, Mystery. The angel Gabriel greets Mary, a simple girl from Nazareth, with 'Hail, full of grace.' Mary was 'greatly troubled.' She encounters a mystery she cannot fully understand—how can a virgin conceive? Unlike Zechariah who asked for proof, Mary asks for instruction: 'How can this be?' She stands before the Mystery of God not with skepticism, but with openness. In our lives, we often want to control everything. Mary teaches us to stand before the mystery of God's will with awe.
Second, Motherhood. The sign given in Isaiah is fulfilled: 'The Virgin shall be with child.' Mary is called to a motherhood that will pierce her heart. She is not just the mother of a baby, but the Mother of God, the Theotokos. She offers her womb as the first tabernacle of the Lord. We, too, are called to a spiritual motherhood—to carry Jesus within us and birth Him into the world through our deeds.
Third, Magnanimity. This is a big word that means 'greatness of soul.' Mary’s response, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word,' is the ultimate act of magnanimity. She gave everything—her body, her future, her reputation—to God. She held nothing back. As we approach Christmas, let us not give God the leftovers of our time or resources. Let us be magnanimous. Let us say a total 'Yes' to God, just as Mama Mary did."
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