Lenten message of Pope Francis based on Fratelli Tutti No 19

What is thrown away are not only food and dispensable objects, but often human beings themselves.


TODAY'S WORD

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

“May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).


TODAY'S REFLECTION

Let’s start with the first reading. The prophet Isaiah draws our attention to the promise of a virgin who will bear a son. His name will be “Emmanuel”—“God is with us” (Isaiah 7:14; 8:10). God is indeed with us, and we can trust Him to give us whatever we need in order to do what He is asking of us. And if we fail, we can turn to Him at any moment and ask for His forgiveness—because the God who is always with us is a God of love and mercy.


Today's feast is commonly called "The Annunciation", though the full title is "The Annunciation of the Lord".


The word "annunciation" is not often used in common language, but it is a word that has a formal meaning.


It is used to announce a set of rules applying to the relationships between states, and so it has a political meaning.


In its Biblical meaning, the Annunciation of the Lord points to God's announcement of His plan of salvation to Mary through the angel Gabriel.


So it is obvious, and it also reminds us, that it is God who made the first step to save us from our sins.


It also reminds us that God went all out to save us by sending His only Son to come into the world and to take on human nature.


As much as God did all He could, He could only wait for our response to His saving love.


Mary responded to God's call to be a part of His plan of salvation.


Today, on this special feast, let’s ask Mary to intercede for us so that we may remain faithful to our commitments. Although she was without original sin, she certainly knew what it was like to be human, to feel weary, and to be pushed and pulled by temptations. She is our devoted and faithful mother, and she will surely carry our prayers to her son, Jesus.


RESOLUTION

Lets resolve to respond like Mary, so that through us, God's saving love will be announced to the world.

HAPPY FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION

“Mary, pray for me to complete my Lenten journey with renewed zeal.”