March 25, 2021: Solemnity of the Annunication

The Theology of the Body teachings of Pope St. John Paul II teach us that God gave Himself totally as gift to us, and we are called to be total gift to others in that same spirit.

That idea of gift really speaks to this glorious Feast of the Annunciation.

God offered Himself as total gift to humanity by becoming one of us, so that He could die and be our Savior, bringing us from death to new life.

God chose Mary to be His mother, and in so doing, called her to be total gift by offering herself in reverent obedient submission to God's plan of salvation.

While there was much that didn't make sense at that moment, and wouldn't in the years ahead for Mary, she moved from belief to trust in God, and became a gift that has blessed the world.

So we can be a blessing by responding affirmatively to God's calling in our lives to be a gift to others.