Lk 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the house of David,

and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,

“How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born

will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,

has also conceived a son in her old age,

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.

Today's reflection from Audrey D., 5th grade student at Holy Family School.

Every time I read this Gospel, I think,” Wow, she really was perfect!” Her kind of perfect wasn’t that she was rich or famous at that time. She was without sin, and that is what made her perfect. 

I feel that we should all strive to be without sin, even though it seems impossible. How? By saying yes to God, just as Mary did. She said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.” And even though she was quizzical and uncertain, she said yes. And just like that, she was made perfect.

Even if we don’t get huge opportunities like Mary, we can still say yes in our daily lives. Some examples of what we can do are obeying the Ten Commandments, and putting others before ourselves. Everyone is a child of God, so we should treat each other with respect. These are only a few ways you can say yes to God. God is asking us to say yes, so pray for guidance and try your best. Be the person God is calling you to be.

Please click play to join us in our prayer for today, led by Mr. Smith's 4th-8th Grade Choir.