Pause

Take a moment to still yourself. Take a deep breath and ask God for a renewed sense of presence with you in this moment.

Opening Prayer

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord,
that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ,
announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary,
may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection;
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever Amen.

Sing or listen

First Reading – Is 7:10-14; 8:10
Responsorial Psalm –Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11 (listen here)
Second Reading –Heb 10:4-10

Gospel

Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply, “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, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him . . . might have eternal life.” (John 3:16) At the Annunciation, God revealed this good news to Mary. She was the first to hear and to believe that God would do what he promised. Her faith told her that nothing is impossible for God. Mary also heard God’s invitation calling her to be the Virgin Mother of his Son.

This call meant that Jesus would be formed in her womb, and she, as his mother, would nourish and care for him. This call meant that she had a special place in God’s plan for salvation. Mary replied, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) In saying yes, Mary agreed to God’s plan because she wanted what God wanted. She was willing to accept all the joy and pain, all the unexpected events. She was willing to bring Christ to a waiting world.

From Loyola Press

Closing Prayer

Holy Spirit,

You spoke to Mary through an angel to invite her to participate in the plan of salvation. Though she questioned how it was possible for her to become the mother of the Messiah, and she knew she faced rejection from Joseph and others, she gave You her yes.

With the help of her prayers, I want to become fulling willing to say yes to my part in giving Christ to the world.

Encourage me when I don’t understand what You’re asking. Bless me with the grace of hearing the call and the courage to trust in Your plan.

Let it be done unto me according to Your will.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me. Amen.

From www.marypages.com.