April 8, 2024: Solenity of the Annunication of the Lord

Having completed the observance of Holy Week and Easter Week, we continue the spirit of joy in celebrating the day when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear the Son of God into the world.

In the context of our recent Paschal Festival, on this Feast Day, we rejoice in how God brought the new life of a baby into the world Who offered Himself in obedience to the Father so that we could all experience newness of Life.

Mary was the first to experience this newness of Life.  By obediently submitting to the Word of God presented to her, she offers a model for how we can open ourselves to God's work in our lives, and as we keep following Him, He does great wonders in our world.  We, too, can bear New Life into the world.

It's telling that a total solar eclipse crossed over a huge swath of North America today.  May the Virgin of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, intercede for us, so that we can be open to God's plan and the wonders He unveils.