For Christians, the principal mystery of our faith is not Christ’s death, nor even his resurrection. Rather, above all else, we revere the Incarnation. A good illustration of the Incarnation’s pre-eminence can be observed as we recite the Creed at Mass. When we profess our faith in the Incarnation of Jesus – ‘who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary’ – we are instructed to bow in reverence. Indeed, without the Incarnation, the salvific death of the Lord and his glorious resurrection would have been impossible.

Today’s feast of the Annunciation celebrates the moment when the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary, God’s plan for our salvation through the Incarnation of Christ. This Incarnation is no less than a new creation. As the Spirit hovered over the primordial waters at the dawn of creation (Genesis 1:2), so now the angel announces the Holy Spirit will ‘come over’ the womb of Mary. As God spoke into the original darkness, ‘Let there be light’ (Genesis 1:3), so now Mary takes up the refrain, ‘Let it be with me according to your word.’

Here, and throughout our Lenten journey, Mary is a model for us. She observed all that God has done, reverenced and praised the mystery (Luke 1:46-55), and she ‘treasured’ all these things and ‘pondered them in her heart’ (Luke 2:19). Finally, she is present at the cross when our humanity is offered back to God (Luke 23:49, John 19:25). This Lent, may we be united with her as we journey towards the foot of the cross. May we, too, reverence this profound mystery and praise God’s work of renewal. God announces his plan for our salvation; may we say with Mary, ‘Let it be with me according to your word.’

by Fr Michael Grace