Today’s Gospel transcends time. It begins when the Angel Gabriel came to Mary
Readings for today: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120924.cfm
By Michael Mozzicato
Today’s Gospel transcends time. It begins when the Angel Gabriel came to Mary to explain her favor with God and her soon to be conception of baby Jesus. His words began with, “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” When you think about it, that day was the first time those words were ever spoken. Fast forward to today. Most Catholics are taught these words as children when learn to pray The Hail Mary.
Mary’s conception set into motion the stories we have learned about the life and death of Jesus. She at first feared but quickly accepted when the angel said. She trusted in God as I do today. My personal journey towards a deeper faith in God began eleven years ago on my Emmaus Retreat. What started with my fear, turned to total surrender, finding grace, and believing nothing is impossible with God. I started to learn then how to give myself to the Lord as Mary did without question.
May I challenge you during this Advent to surrender yourself to God as Mary did?
Michael Mozzicato has attended St Anne since soon after the new church was built and prior to that was a parishioner of Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon. He is dedicated to growing our Men’s Emmaus Ministry here at St. Annes with twice yearly retreats that inspire Men to find greater intimacy with God through prayer, fellowship and community support.