Homily on Luke 1:26-38, The Feast of Annunciation

The Annunciation: A Message of Hope – Everything Is Possible with God (  25th of March )

Praise be to Jesus Christ

Today we celebrate one of the greatest feasts in the Church, the Feast of the Annunciation. It is especially significant as it announces that the Saviour of the world is going to be born to a virgin named Mary. The news is so significant that it changed human history from BC into AD. The Annunciation feast is not a mere celebration of a just announcement but it is the celebration of the beginning of salvation for each one of us.

I recall an incident relevant to this feast. Some years ago, one of my well-liked friends was told that he had a terminal illness and had only a short time to live. His family and friends were  heartbroken at the news but rather than losing hope, the entire family placed their trust in God. Every day, my friend went to Mass, prayed, and followed the doctors instructions by taking the prescribed medicine. Day passed and the doctors could not believe their eyes when they saw the latest results of his check-up. The could not detect any sign of his illness. Naturally the family were delighted and rejoiced at the amazing and miraculous news. By trusting in the Lord completely, they witnessed His loving mercy regardless of the foreboding medical prediction.

In today’s Gospel we rejoice at another moment of  happy news the world has ever heard. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary telling her, “Do not be afraid, … you will conceive  and bear a son .. He will be great and will be called son of the Most High.” Throughout Biblical history generations of the Jews were waiting for a saviour to free them from the bondage of slavery. Salvation began when Mary said her fiat to God. Without her ‘yes’, there would have been no salvation for any of us.  

 Saint Bernard of Clairvaux commented that at the moment of the Annunciation all of creation held its breath waiting for Mary’s response. And when she said yes, heaven rejoiced because salvation had begun. Her unquestioning and trusting ‘yes’ is an example for us all.

This feast of Annunciation, where God made impossible possible, reminds us of another promise in the Old Testament. When God called Abraham and told him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars of heaven, Abraham believed, even though he was childless and of a great age. In the same way, Mary believed, Abraham also trusted that nothing is impossible for God. The miracle of the Virgin Birth came about by the grace of the Holy spirit and Mary’s trust. Everything is possible with God; sickness can be healed and the impossible can become a reality. When we trust in God’s grace, not in human strength, miracles can happen.

Without question, Jesus virginal conception is beyond human understanding. Science cannot explain it, but for God, nothing is impossible. In the Old Testament we see that God made possible many impossibilities; He  gave a child to Sarah in her old age, parted the Red Sea for Moses and Israelites etc. At moments in our lives when we feel lost and see no way forward, let us remember that God can make a way where there is none.

Many of us carry heavy burdens, illness, financial struggles, broken relationships, or deep sorrow. We may feel that there is no solution and often lose hope. But the Feast of the Annunciation gives us hope in the same way God worked wonders in Mary’s virginal conception. He can do the same for us. Let us entrust everything to the Lord no matter how impossible our situation seems and trust in Him. Do not be discouraged. Hold on to God’s loving mercy and compassion with faith. He will never abandon us. The God who made the impossible happen in Mary’s life can work miracles in ours also. We must never lose hope.

Let us always remember where human strength fails, God begins. The Annunciation is a celebration of hope, a reminder that even in our darkest moments God’s power can bring light to whatever problem we face. If we trust in Him as Mary did, as Abraham did, as many of the saints did over the years when they faced what seemed the impossible, we will see His wonders unfolding in our own lives.

 Let us pray: Lord, help us to trust in your plan as Mary did and give us hope at the moment of hopelessness. Amen.

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God Bless