The first joyful mystery: The Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary
In this mystery, we contemplate how Almighty God, after the announcement of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, came down from Heaven and became truly man — body and soul — in the womb of the Immaculate Virgin Mary. This took place in the little town of Nazareth in Galilee, in the purest Mother of God’s humble room. Having received the name of Jesus, meaning “Savior,” He — Who is the ineffable, eternal, and infinite Word and Son of God — was made flesh and began to dwell among us.
Before becoming man, God asked for humanity’s consent, since He does not impose His salvation or His love on us. No one can be forced to love. God deigned to request that consent in the mystery of the Annunciation, and the Virgin Mary consented on behalf of all mankind. With her pure heart, she uttered her yes, filled with faith and trust. Mary’s yes is the perfect antithesis to the no of Eve, the first woman, who disobeyed God and sinned, becoming the cause of the perdition of all humanity. Mary’s yes, on the contrary, made her the cause of humanity’s salvation.
At the moment of the Incarnation, the Holy Spirit formed the most pure body and soul of Jesus. Therefore, the Virgin Mary had to be perfectly immaculate, since from her flesh the body of Christ — the incarnate God — would be formed. Already in the first instant of His life in the Immaculate Virgin’s womb, Jesus enjoyed the Beatific Vision and knew all things. Thus, from the very first moment of His earthly life, Jesus beheld and embraced, with immense love, all human beings — each one of us. From then on, Jesus and Mary, in the work of humanity’s Redemption, never parted; they remain together for all eternity. In light of such a sublime truth, may we, here on earth, remain united to them, so that this union may continue in Heaven forever.
Lord, by the mystery of the Annunciation of Your Incarnation, grant us holy popes! Grant us many holy popes!
Amen.
