Daily Lenten Reflections

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Tuesday of the Third Week

The Annunciation of the Lord

Reflection
“Nothing will be impossible for God.” Lent can feel so long, so dark. Yet here we are, about halfway through Lent with a reminder of God’s vast love for us. God sends us signs and hope and HIMSELF! In the midst of the ordinary, God speaks to us. What is God asking of us on this journey?

In Isaiah, before the passage proclaimed today, the Lord tells Isaiah to say to Ahaz, “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid.” In 1939, the British government came up with a slogan to encourage its citizens in the shadow of World War II: “Keep Calm and Carry On.” Despite its being commercially co-opted today, it is the message of God and His angels to all his servants throughout history: Keep calm and carry on. Don’t be afraid; do My will. There is nothing for which we need to ask God; we only need to say, “Yes.” He gives us everything we need, including Himself. David, in the Psalm, speaks the response we should ask the Lord to put into our heart, “To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” And in today’s Scripture for the Annunciation of the Lord, Mary asks Gabriel, “How can this be?” How could someone so ordinary become the mother of God? Through the Holy Spirit. Through absolute trust. God knows exactly how to carry out His plan—even when it may seem impossible to us. We are asked to trust, to be open and willing. As we approach the joy of the Resurrection, as we prepare our hearts to fully celebrate the Light & Love of Easter, let us take time to pay attention, to say “Yes” to all that God has called us to be.

Prayer

Jesus, help us to see You in the midst of our everyday. Open our eyes to see Your light and give us the courage and patience to say “Yes” to Your great plan for our lives. Amen.

Meeghan and TJ Bird Matarazzo, ‘97 and ‘98, Members of the Worshipping Community

Scripture
First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10

Psalm 40:7-11

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:4-10

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

No comments:

Post a Comment

Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry

The Mission of Edmundite Campus Ministry at Saint Michael’s College is to share the Good News of the Gospel with the College community by facilitating encounter with Jesus Christ. We do this through the celebration of the Church’s Liturgy, in programs promoting knowledge of the Catholic faith, by developing ecumenical and interreligious relationships, and providing retreats and other opportunities for personal spiritual growth.

The Catholic and Edmundite tradition upon which the College was founded is grounded in the conviction that all women and men are created in the image and likeness of God providing a special dignity unique to each person. Such dignity requires human life to be respected in all of its stages recognizing that we are all children of God.

Therefore, in its pursuit of furthering the Reign of God, the Edmundite Campus Ministry staff seeks to interact with and support every member of the College community in their search for Truth, contributing to the “enhancement of the human person and to the advancement of human culture in light of the Catholic faith.”