Homily for the Solemnity of Annunciation
Theme: The Mystery of the Incarnation
By: Fr. Francis Onwunali
Homily for Friday March 25 2022
Today we commemorate and celebrate the Mystery of the Incarnation; the Solemnity of Annunciation. In the third article of the Nicene Creed we profess: “For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man”. Belief in the true Incarnation of the Son of God is the distinctive sign of Christian faith. “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God” (1Jn. 4:2).
The first reading (Is 7: 10-14, 18) today presents to us the prophecy that became fulfilled in the Mystery we celebrate- “It is this: the maiden is with child and will give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel, a name which means, God-is-with-us”.
In the gospel (Luke 1: 26-38), the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary the will of God for the salvation of humanity. Mary, with no doubt in her mind but with wonderment, made her “fiat” – “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me”. This child to be born is conceived by the gracious action of the Holy Spirit upon Mary, who finds favour with God. As Eve was the mother of all humanity doomed to sin, now Mary becomes the New Eve, the mother of the New Adam who brings forth a new humanity by His grace.
Dear friends, Mary believed God’s promises even when they seemed impossible. She was eager and willing to do God’s will even though it seemed costly. She must have been awed by the extreme humility of the Lord in becoming man and she freely submitted to this experience of true love. The humility of the Lord as expressed in His Incarnation is an unfanthomable mystery.
I pray as we journey in life today, we will learn to humble ourselves to the will of God as did our Lord and Mary. It is by grace that Mary said “Yes” and it is only by grace that we can live our lives in humility and obedience to the will of God. Let us ask the incarnate Jesus to teach us to be “meek and humble of heart” (Matt. 11: 29). Let us join our voices together today to pray the “Lord’s Prayer”, crying out with a repentant heart to God in God’s own Word to come and deliver us from the evil that has beseeched humanity, the crown of His creation. Have a gracious and humility-full day!
Fr. Francis Onwunali