Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (Is 7:14) by Royce Hood

25 Mar Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (Is 7:14) by Royce Hood

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:  the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us!'”~ Is 7:14 (full readings)

Royce’s Reflections:  On the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, we celebrate the conception of our Lord.  This day marks the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.  Gabriel announced to Blessed Virgin Mary that she had “found favor with God.”  He said to her “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus…and of his Kingdom there will be no end…”  (Lk 1:30-33)  There are several very significant graces to be appreciated on this day.  Gabriel’s message to the Virgin Mary helped to fulfill the prophecy that we read in today’s first reading that “the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”  However, it was Mary’s fiat – her willingness to fully embrace and accept the will of God, that would usher in the complete fulfillment of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.  Finally, we must appreciate the actual conception of our Lord, which by the power of the Holy Spirit brought forth the Son of God.  The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord falls exactly nine months before Christmas.  During the next nine months, as we prepare for the birth of Our Lord, we should be mindful that Christ was on this earth for nine months in the womb.  The Virgin Mary had the most famous unplanned pregnancy of all time.  She lived during an era where premarital relations were punishable by death.  However, she submitted fully and humbly to God’s plan.  She replied to Gabriel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)  As with any unplanned pregnancy, Mary may have felt some apprehension about her future.  However, by submitting herself fully to God’s will, she boldly and faithfully rested any such apprehension in the hands of God.  We too must give our troubles and anxieties to the Lord.
* Royce Hood is an attorney, entrepreneur and pro-life activist.  He lives with his wife Elise and 5 month old daughter Ava outside of Chicago.  Royce is a board member with the March for Life, LIFE Runners and with Life Legal Defense Foundation.  He is also the co-founder of the Law of Life Summit.

Faith Challenge:  Everyone of us, no matter how we were conceived, are a fulfillment of God’s plan.  Follow Him.  Seek strength from Jesus Christ our Savior.  And never hesitate to ask for the intercession of Our Lady in providing you the grace to follow God’s plan.  During the next nine months, I ask you to remember the unborn along with all of the parents facing unplanned pregnancies.  May we pray for their strength and submission to God’s will. 

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  St. Dismas

Faith Quote:  “He willed to give us birth by the word of truth, that we may be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.” ~ James 1:18

Through Christ our Lord,
Royce