Angelus Domini Nuntiavit Mariae

 

 The title of this page comes from the Angelus Prayer, which is the prayer that is traditionally prayed at 6 a.m., Noon, and 6 p.m. Translated it says "The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary." it is describing the Annunciation of the Incarnation of the Word of God made flesh. 

This takes place in the Gospel according to St. Luke in Chapter 1, verse 26 -38. When we look to this passage of the Gospel account and begin to reflect on the Incarnation of the Word made flesh, Verbum Caro Factum Est. Things that come to mind are along the lines of the fittingness of His incarnation. As in is it truly fitting that Christ become Man for the salvation of Souls? 

Directly put, with Christ being God, it wasn't necessary for His Incarnation for the salvation of souls. He is God, i.e., does not need to do something to bring about a result, He must simply will it and it be so. However, out of the love for us that He has for us, He chose to become Man. He loves us so much that He chose to become Man to allow us to know Him better and love Him to the point that we choose to follow and serve Him on all things. 

This is the fruit, or fruits, of the mystery: Humility and Docility to the will of God.

The fruit of Humility is the selfsame virtue. This virtue forms the bed of prayerful life (CCC 2559), and, as St. Bernard says, by which a man knowing himself as he truly is, abases himself, and submits to God. This is easily shown in the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fiat Mihi Secundum Verbum Tuum: Be it done unto me according to thy word. The Blessed Virgin Mary humbled herself before the Word of God, and remained docile to the Will of God. 

A great way to meditate on the mystery is through a Scriptural reading of the rosary:

1. The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
1. Pater Noster
2. And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth (Luke 1:26)
1. Ave Maria ... 
3. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. (Luke 1:27)
1. Ave Maria ...
4. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (Luke 1:28)
1. Ave Maria ...
5. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. (Luke 1:29)
1. Ave Maria ...
6. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. (Luke 1:30)
1. Ave Maria ...
7. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. (Luke 1:31)
1. Ave Maria ...
8. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. (Luke 1:32)
1. Ave Maria ...
9. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:33)
1. Ave Maria ...
10. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? (Luke 1:34)
1. Ave Maria ...
11. And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
1. Ave Maria ...
12. O My Jesus ...
13. Gloria Patri ...