Annunciation of the Lord, Thursday – 25th March 2021 – Luke 1,26-38
Annunciation: Mark of a New Era
The annunciation to Mary proclaims the mystery of the incarnation. God’s Word came to dwell among us. It is the beginning of the kenosis of Christ and his self-emptying out of love for us. He assumed our human condition from Mary’s womb, sharing our nature to the full in order to redeem us from our sins and reconcile us to God (Phil 2,6). The account of the Annunciation of the angel to Mary contains also the announcement of the glorious reign of Christ in a kingdom that will never end (Lk 1,32-33). It celebrates God’s presence among us, a presence that is not merely temporary, but enduring and ever-lasting until the end of the ages (Mt 28,20). This presence is not merely external, but internal bringing about the most intimate union between God and man, He dwelling in us and we in Him. Sharing our human nature, Christ enabled us to share in his divine nature. The Annunciation marks the inauguration of the New Creation (2 Cor 5,17-18). But everything begins in lowliness, poverty and concealment, and therefore only the simple and lowly will perceive and welcome it. The Spirit has already been poured forth and is already now breathing new life into a creation grown old and sterile. We are challenged to open our hearts to him, so that he can destroy what is old in us and make everything new.
