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Here we are, at the mid-point of Lent.

Preparing for the Good Friday Passion and the Easter Resurrection.

We’re looking to the end of Jesus’ time on earth.

Of course, in spirit, Jesus always has been and always will be on earth.

The earth, and everything else that is, was created through his Spirit.

His Spirit was present in his creation from the beginning.

His Spirit is still present in all creation, and especially in each human.

Dwelling within us—he still walks the earth today.

But there was that brief span of thirty three years or so.

When Jesus, as a distinct, physical, human individual, moved among us.

Today, we shift our focus from the end of those thirty three years to the beginning.

By tradition, we celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25^th.

And here we are at March 25, exactly nine months before that birthday.

So this is the day we celebrate Jesus’ human entry into the world.

The beginning of Mary’s pregnancy.

We mark this day among the highest order of Holy Days.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation if the Lord.

Gabriel comes to Mary and announces God’s plan.

And Mary bravely and faithfully agrees to accept her role in that plan.

During Lent we’re specially called to fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

And this Solemnity today opens so many avenues to prayer.

Our Gospel explains the beginning of that simple, powerful prayer.

The prayer that was, for many of us, one of our first experiences in learning how to pray.

Gabriel’s Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

This Solemnity’s falling within Lent gives us great food for contemplative and meditative prayer.

It draws together recollections and ideas and questions about Jesus’ time as a human on earth.

Our shift from focus on the end to a brief focus on the beginning

Opens up all the span in between as well.

The scene of the Annunciation is an excellent place to begin a contemplation.

Placing ourselves right in that scene with Mary and Gabriel.

Where is Mary when Gabriel comes to her?

In her room?  In the garden?  Is it a setting like our mural here?  Or some other artist’s vision?

Is it light or dark?  Warm or chilly?

What is Mary wearing?

Does she see Gabriel, or only hear his voice?

Are there long pauses in the conversation?

How is Mary managing to process this shocking information?

As we go deeper into that scene—deeper into our contemplation—we can be transported.

We can follow wherever it leads us; and then just sit and listen.

We may or may not hear anything from Gabriel, but we’ll hear something from God himself.

The Annunciation of the Lord

Lk 1:26-38           Read this Scripture @usccb.org