The angel came to her and said:
“Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”
Commentaries
1:26 - 1:38
Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.
Mary is a young woman engaged to Joseph. Although their marriage is arranged, they live apart, remaining faithful to each other. The angel of the Lord appears to Mary, not in the temple in Jerusalem as he did to Zechariah, but in her humble home in Nazareth. And he announces the fulfillment of divine promises (30-33). Mary and “the Word of God” are the protagonists of this story. ‘Mary’ symbolizes a part of the people who wait and are open to God’s will. And “the Word” creates, transforms, provides security, and, without infringing on freedom, invites joyful obedience and acceptance of divine will: “let it be done to me according to your word” (38).
Commentaries
Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.
Mary is a young woman engaged to Joseph. Although their marriage is arranged, they live apart, remaining faithful to each other. The angel of the Lord appears to Mary, not in the temple in Jerusalem as he did to Zechariah, but in her humble home in Nazareth. And he announces the fulfillment of divine promises (30-33). Mary and “the Word of God” are the protagonists of this story. ‘Mary’ symbolizes a part of the people who wait and are open to God’s will. And “the Word” creates, transforms, provides security, and, without infringing on freedom, invites joyful obedience and acceptance of divine will: “let it be done to me according to your word” (38).