The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity)

"With God nothing will be impossible."

Luke 1:37

"Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." -- Isaiah 7:11

The thought follows the look; delight comes after the thought; and consent after delight. -- St. Augustine

Look
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." -- Isaiah 7:14

Thought
And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.

Delight
And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." -- Luke 1:28-32

Consent
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. -- Luke 1:38

Then I said, "Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me; I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart."

I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; lo, I have not restrained my lips, as thou knowest, O LORD. I have not hid thy saving help within my heart, I have spoken of thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness from the great congregation.

Do not thou, O LORD, withhold thy mercy from me, let thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness ever preserve me! -- Psalms 40:7-11

Deliver our Souls from Death

"The poor man died 

and was carried by the angels 

to Abraham's bosom. 

The rich man also died and was buried; 

and in Hades, being in torment, 

he lifted up his eyes, 

and saw Abraham far off 

and Laz'arus in his bosom ."

Luke 16:22-23

In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.

-- Byzantine Liturgy, Troparion, Feast of the Dormition, August 15th

Our Lady's Love

"But whoever drinks of the water 

that I will give him shall never thirst; 

but the water that I will give him 

will become in him a well of water 

springing up to eternal life." 

John 4:14

Our Lady's love is like a stream that has its source in the Eternal Fountains, quenches the thirst of all, can never be drained, and ever flows back to its Source.

-- St. Marguerite Bourgeoys