She Bore our Cross

Scripture: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

32 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,

33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever;

and of his kingdom there will be no end."

34 And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" 35 And the angel said to her,

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;

therefore the child to be born will be called holy,

the Son of God.

36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible." 38 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 1:26-38

Reflection:  The word Apostle in the original Hebrew or Greek means to be sent.  They received a mandate from Jesus and thus were sent in his name to proclaim the good news (Gospel) of the Kingdom of God.

To receive the blessings from their ministry one had to receive them and what they had to proclaim and believe. In accepting through faith and belief was their salvation.

Similarly, we have Mary the more privileged one who too had the good news proclaimed to her by a more privileged ministry of the Angel Gabriel. He was sent and Mary heard and believed the message. 

The message was good news for the human race BUT a cross to Mary which she willingly submitted to.  The consequence of such an acceptance was great.

In other words Mary in herself carried the good news of Salvation for the human race through the message of the Cross.

Prayer:  Mary our Mother, you who bore the cross of Salvation for our sake; pray for us.

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