MANILA, Philippines – The Church on Friday celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation. We remember the moment when God sent the Angel Gabriel to Mary to announce to her that God had chosen her to be the mother of His only son. Luke narrates how God looked with favor upon Mary and how she, with profound faith in the Almighty, totally surrendered herself to the will of God (cf. Luke 1:26-38).

This event in the history of salvation is specially remembered each time we pray the holy rosary and the Angelus, and the Hail Mary. The Hail Mary, first joyful mystery, and the invocations in the Angelus give us an opportunity to meditate on the profound mystery of God’s love for humanity and Mary’s cooperation in the Divine plan.

We look up to Mary as our model of obedience and of humble faith, and total surrender to the Lord as she responded to the angel: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains what these words of Mary mean to us Christians of today: “By pronouncing her ‘fiat’ at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish. She is mother wherever he is Savior and head of the Mystical Body.” (CCC no. 973)

Friday’s feast was originally celebrated as a feast to honor our Lord Jesus Christ. However, today, we celebrate it as a feast in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Like her, we must be ready to receive Jesus into our lives. This Friday is nine months before Christmas Day. As Mary conceived Jesus in her womb for nine months before she gave birth to Him on Christmas Day, let us carry Jesus in our hearts not only for nine months but for the rest of our lives.

May Jesus bless us through Mary, our model of faith, hope, and love.