The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Lk 1:28)
“God Who created us without our permission cannot save us without our active cooperation” – St. Augustine.
Annunciation is an invitation to work with God in His salvific project. Mary accepted this invitation by her heroic response, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, may it to be done to me in according to your word” Mary places her unconditionally and wholeheartedly at the service of the Lord by becoming the mother of the Son of God on this earth.
God invites us continuously to share in the Divine Life by becoming a true instrument in the hands of God just as Mary. Hence, let us cooperate in the fulfillment of God’s plan for us with Mary’s trusting Faith and humility.
Why is reason of your service of the Lord? “Many people do the will of God because of Hell thinking that it is an escape-pass, and some others because of Heaven thinking that it is their entrance-pass. A true servant of God, like Mary, cooperate with God simply because of love and faithfulness to God and not because of fear of punishment or expectation of reward. Amen.
Fr. Jerry Joseph Vallomkunnel MCBS