＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10

Once again Yahweh addressed Ahaz,

 “Ask for a sign from Yahweh your God, let it come either from the deepest depths or from the heights of heaven.”  But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask, I will not put Yahweh to the test.”

 Then Isaiah said, “Now listen, descendants of David. Have you not been satisfied trying the patience of people, that you also try the patience of my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:

The Virgin is with child and bears a son and calls his name Immanuel. Devise a plan and it will be thwarted, make a resolve and it will not stand, for God-is-with-us.

 

Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Hebrews 10:4-10

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

 The angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.

 But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob for­­ever and his reign shall have no end.”

 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be if I am a virgin?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of God.

 Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible.” 

 Then Mary said, “I am the hand­maid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.

 

Gospel Reflection：

The visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Angel Gabriel is unique and unrepeatable in history. Yet each one of us has our own little annunciations in life. It may not be accompanied by light and thunder, or delivered by winged messengers in haste. Nevertheless, they are important to us.

it speaks of God’s will for us communicatd in various ways. The question is, are we equal to the task or invitation at hand? Some of us accept it in sullen pride, aware of our own importance in God’s greater scheme.

Others shrink in terror refusing to heed the call, and when released brathe a sigh of relief. They will not be punished. Ordinary life will continue. But the path to greatness vanishes.

Never to reappear again. The Virgin is blessed among women because she accepted the ministry of being the mother of God the Son. She was brave when it mattered.