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Advent’s Intimate Miracle: The Trinity at Work
Scripture Passage
Lk 1:26-38
In the sixth month, 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.
Grace Prayed For
A spirit of service: Mary declared herself the “handmaid of the Lord.” Ask for the grace to serve God and others with a generous and loving heart, especially during this Advent season.
Reflection
In the heart of Advent, we encounter the breathtaking intimacy of the Annunciation. The angel Gabriel, a messenger of the Father, appears to Mary. He greets her with words that echo the divine presence, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” This is not just a greeting; it’s a declaration of Mary’s unique role in salvation history. “The Lord is with you” signifies the active presence of God in her life, preparing her for the unimaginable.
Mary’s response, “How can this be?” is a testament to her humanness, her humility. She doesn’t doubt God’s power but seeks understanding. The angel’s reply unveils the Trinitarian dimension of this holy encounter:
- The Holy Spirit: The agent of the Incarnation, the Holy Spirit will “come upon you,” overshadowing Mary with the creative power of God. This echoes the creation narrative in Genesis, where the Spirit hovered over the waters, bringing forth life. Here, the Spirit brings forth the new creation, the Son of God, in Mary’s womb.
- The Son: Jesus, the child to be born, is explicitly named “the Son of God,” highlighting his divine nature. He is the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s covenant with David. His kingdom will be eternal, a reign of peace and justice.
- The Father: The “power of the Most High” will overshadow Mary. This signifies the Father’s active role in the Incarnation. He is the source of all creation and the one who sends the Spirit to bring about this miraculous conception.
Mary’s fiat, “May it be done to me according to your word,” is an act of profound faith and surrender. She becomes the dwelling place of the Most High, a living tabernacle where God takes on flesh.
This Advent, let us contemplate the mystery of the Annunciation, a Trinitarian dance of love that brings God into the world. Like Mary, may we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, allowing God to work wonders in our lives and make us bearers of Christ’s light to the world.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Understanding the Depth of God’s Love: The Incarnation is the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity. By sending his Son to dwell among us, God demonstrates his desire for intimacy with us. Meditating on the Annunciation can deepen our awareness of this love and foster a sense of gratitude and awe.
Daily Scripture Reflection
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post