March 25, 2020 Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Good News

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. What did we hear from today’s Gospel? The Angel Gabriel delivered the good news to Mary: “You are the chosen one to bear a son who will be called the Son of the Most High.” So what was to happen to Mary? She was shocked and troubled at what was said. However, after a brief conversation, Mary said “Yes” to the Angel according to God’s plan. From that moment on Mary conceived a son, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Emmanuel: God is with us.

During this Lenten Season, is a time for us to sit back, pray and dialogue with God in order to understand God’s plan for us. Yes. We can see the plan that God wants us to repent and believe in the Gospel, especially during this time of crisis. Yes. We are so afraid, scared, panic, but we also trust in leaders, scientists, doctors and nurses who are doing whatever they can to prevent the spread of the virus.

We, as Catholic Christians, also trust in God’s power of healing and the power to cast out demons. During this time of trial, we need to strengthen our faith and hope and trust God more than ever before. Take time to dialogue with our Lord about our concerns, repent our sins and believe in the Gospel, ask God for His mercy and kindness to forgive our sins and bring us back to a normal life.

As the king and people of Niniveh, who acknowledged their sins and repented, God restored their lives back to normal. We too, if we follow the example of Ninivites, God will deliver us from this virus and brings us to a normal life with peace and joy so we will be ready to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.

It is the good news that we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

Let us pray the Angelus Prayer

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary;

1. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord;

1. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary….

And the Word was made Flesh;

R> And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary….

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,

1. that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

 

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.