Missionaries of the Sacred

Day 5: Meditation: Blessed by an Angel

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ (Lk 1:26-28)

When the angel spoke to her, the Spirit of God filled Mary. The angel had told her that she was a beloved daughter of God and had been chosen to receive the One most dear to the Father, his only begotten Son.

The love of God for Mary is unique. Yet each of us is deeply loved by God. The blessing bestowed on Mary through an angel has been extended to us all. Through her each of us has been blessed. The Father was moved by compassion to send his Son to redeem us and lift us up. Mary, while still a young maiden, was moved by compassion to say “yes” to God’s invitation. In her “yes” we are blessed.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart would have us appreciate the love of God for each of us personally. She would have us appreciate our dignity as beloved sons and daughters of the Father. She would have us open ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit as she did.

As followers of Jesus we put ourselves down! We may do this in the name of humility. Mary certainly possessed humility. At the end of the visit by Gabriel, she said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38) It is equally certain that she was aware of her dignity as a beloved daughter of God.

Recognizing our worth in the eyes of God, a worth given us by a loving Father, is kind of thanksgiving for the goodness of God to us. It moves us, not to conceit, but to praise of the divine love which has graciously chosen us to receive his greatest gift, making us brothers and sisters of his Son.

Prayer:

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, even as a girl, you had compassion for suffering people---a compassion which continues in our day and for us. You look out on a world that in important ways resembles the village at Nazareth. On the large scale, there are rumors of wars and insurrections. At home, the ordinary hopes and fears of people are similar. We too can be enslaved, though not by Roman soldiers. We too need spiritual renewal.

By willingness to bear your Son, you have brought the Sacred Heart of Jesus into our midst to set us free and lead us in the way of holiness. He invites us to let him enter our lives as he once invited you.

Thank you for saying “yes” to the angel who blessed you and, through you, blessed us by offering us hope of everlasting life and joy in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.