Homily: March 25, 2025, Solemnity of the Annunciation ()

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 "Therefore, the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us!'" 

One book I read during my school days was titled: ‘The God of Small Things’. The book has nothing to do with God or religion, but I like the title because it reminds me that our God is also a God of small things.

He appreciates and takes pleasure even when we offer Him the littlest effort or prayer or joy of our day. And He too often shows Himself in simple, silent humble signs.

In today’s first reading, King Ahaz was given the opportunity to ask for a great sign from God, but he rejected, claiming to not want to test the Lord. Still, God chose to give him a sign anyway - not in a big way, but something simple yet powerful: "A virgin shall conceive and bear a son."

This sign is simple yet powerful because while it is normal for a woman to bear a child, it is impossible for a virgin to do so. Only through God’s intervention can this miracle happen.

And if we look closely at the Annunciation, something humble yet profound did happen.

In the Gospel, we see Mary receiving the annunciation from an angel of the Lord. Something great is going to happen, an event long awaited for by the whole Jewish nation, but it will happen in a simple and silent way – with a private announcement to a humble virgin lady.

Mary is troubled at first, but she agrees and submits to God’s will, trusting in Him totally, offering her wonderful ‘Fiat’ which brought God’s plan for the whole world to fruition. Mary’s humble ‘yes’ has always been celebrated on this Solemnity but what is profound to me and should be celebrated on this feast as well, is the fact that our great almighty God is humbler yet, that He left it open to Mary’s own willingness and decision to accept, or reject, His will, He did not demand obedience from her.

He is God, surely, He has the power and the authority to proceed without the need for human agreement or cooperation. But our God is a God of small things, He appreciates and takes pleasure in our participation, our willingness, our ‘yes’. No matter how small or insignificant in our opinion, it is valuable in His eyes.

Today’s solemnity invites us to embrace this great generous God of small things. He is a big lover of small people. Our simple ‘yes’ in the ordinary moments of daily life, our childlike faith and gratitude for everything He has given and done for us. All these are enough for Him.

And is God’s plan good enough for us?

Like Mary, we say “yes, may it be done to me according to your word.” With this, a virgin shall be with child. Miracles will happen, as God wills. Amen.


Comments

  1. Madeleine24 March 2026 at 10:31

    His will be done. God does have the last word, and His Word was made flesh.

    ReplyDelete

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