March 25, 2023: Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord unto Mary

It's wonderful that we started this week celebrating the Solemnity of St. Joseph, and we end this week celebrating the Blessed Mother Mary, when the angel Gabriel announced to her that she would bear the Son of God.

The coming of Christ was foretold by the prophets centuries ago, as one born of a Virgin, and, as Psalm 40 states, One Who would take the next step beyond upholding the Law and its prescribed sacrifices to offering Himself.

It's only fitting then that all His disciples would be called to conform themselves to Christ by offering themselves for continuing to do God's work, and that Mary would be called upon to do so as the first disciple.

Not everything about God's plan was clear to Mary, but she still listened and responded in faith, and then watched as God brought salvation to the world through her Son.  And faith will help us respond to God as we take part in His works and wait upon Him to marvelously unfold them, manifesting the continued advancement of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.