Collect:
O God, who willed that your Word
should take on the reality of human flesh
in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray,
that we, who confess our Redeemer to be God and man,
may merit to become partakers even in his divine nature.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. *

The Readings
Isaiah 7:10-14, 8-10; Psalms 40:7-8A, 8B-9, 10, 11; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38

Daily Meditation:
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
     May it be done to me according to your word."

Today we step out of Lent, in one way.
We are nine months away from Christmas.
This is the feast of the Incarnation - the enfleshment of our God for us.
In Jesus, God entered this world, our world.

This day thereby offers wonderful Lenten graces.
.
Ahaz has his own plans.
He refuses to ask God for help, because he doesn't want God's help.
And, of course, he makes it sound pious.
There's fruit in that for all of us, whenever we refuse to ask for God's help.

Mary, on the other hand, is God's servant.
She is humble and she says "yes."
And God, for whom "nothing is impossible, does the rest.

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.   Ps. 40
 

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
On this day the eternal Father sent his angel to bring Mary the good news of our salvation.
Let us turn to God and pray with confidence:

R: Lord, fill our hearts with your love.

You chose the Virgin Mary as the mother of your Son,
  - have mercy on all who look for your gift of salvation.

You sent Gabriel to give Mary your message of peace and joy,
  - give to the whole world the joy of salvation and your gift of true peace.

Mary gave her consent, the Holy Spirit overshadowed her,
and your Word came to dwell among us,
  - touch our hearts that we may welcome Christ as Mary did.

You look with love on the humble, and fill the hungry with your gifts,
  - raise up the downcast, help all in need, comfort and strengthen the dying.

Lord our God, you alone work wonders and with you all things are possible,
  - give us the fullness of salvation when you raise up the dead on the last day.
 

Closing Prayer:
God of infinite love,
I thank you for this feast of our salvation,
right here in the middle of Lent.
I turn to you to beg for your help.
I need the inspiration and help of Mary on this journey.
Please grant me the grace to be humbly faithful
to what you are calling me to do.
Please give me what I need to be free and to be your servant.
Please let Mary guide us in the path to peace in our world.
I ask you this, in Jesus' name.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.