The Impossible Possibility

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The day when the “Word became flesh” and “dwelt among us.” The day when God took on flesh and became man. What religion do we know of whose God becomes one of them? And on top of that, because He loves them? There is no loving, relational God other than the Christian God. We have a God who loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son into the world, allowing Himself to be ridiculed, laughed at, mocked, scourged, nailed to a cross, and to die. Why? Why do all this? To show us that we are worth it, and that He loves us.

Through the Prophet Isaiah the Lord told King Ahaz that “the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us!’” A virgin will be with child. Not only a virgin then, but a virgin during and after. How can that be? It can be because the child is the Son of God. What is impossible for us is possible for God. Mary, Our Blessed Mother was immaculately conceived and has been chosen by God from all eternity to be the mother of His Son, the Mother of God. But it required Mary’s permission, her yes, her fiat. Because God loves us, He will not force Himself upon us or into our lives. Only Mary who had no stain of original sin was able to carry the Son of God. Yes, Mary was troubled. She questioned and sought clarification. She consented. To love is to act in freedom and to act in freedom is to do what one ought to do, and Mary did just that.

The moment Mary said yes, the Holy Spirit came upon her and the power of the Most High overshadowed her and at that, God became man and made His dwelling among us. With Mary’s yes, the plan of our salvation was made possible. God loved Mary. Mary loved God, and Mary loved His people. The fruit of love is life, and luckily for us, the fruit of this Love was eternal life.

Pray the “Angelus” today with us (at the end of the audio).