(20TH DECEMBER)

 First Reading: Is 7:10-14; Psalm: 24. R. v. 7c. 10c; Gospel: Lk 1:26-38

THE LORD IS WITH US

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” (Lk 1:28).

These were the words with which the angel Gabriel greeted Mary when he appeared to her. This kind of greeting was uncommon which was why Mary was greatly troubled and wondered in her mind what this greeting might be. As Mary wondered, the angel Gabriel opened up and said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.” The favour was that Mary would be the mother of the Son of God.

This revelation cleared the confusion of Mary regarding the meaning of the angel’s greetings. Mary really found favour with God to be chosen to be the mother of our saviour Jesus Christ. The news was unexpected even though God had planned it from the very beginning. God blesses and surprises us when we least expect them.

The coming of Jesus through Mary’s obedience has made God present to us like never before. Although none of us has the fullness of grace like Mary but surely, the Lord is with us. If we believed this, then we should be hopeful of the future. So, we can as well hear the angel Gabriel saying to us today, “The Lord is with you!” What we are going through presently may not be as expected. But we need to be conscious of the fact that the Lord is with us in every situation. The Lord is with us in that pain, sickness, hardship, confusion, disappointment, and so on. If we based on hope and faith on this belief; God will not disappoint us just as he came to Mary as promised.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, we believe that you are always with us. May our faith in you never fail us. Amen.