Feast of the Annunciation

Good morning. Marriage, what a blessed and hope-filled experience! Married couples yearn for being accepted, for having someone special who will be the source of joy and happiness, who will share together with them in the creation of children, and offer them a lifetime of love. We strive together to find hope in our lives together, and to make known in one another’s lives the gift of love. In the Sacrament of Marriage the bride and groom are asked by the celebrant if they will give of themselves freely and totally, if they will love as God loves us. The celebrant asks the couple: “Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?” They are likewise asked if they will be open to life and if they will be true to one another for the remainder of their lives. It is most unfortunate that we live in a culture which fails to appreciate the sacredness of this covenantal commitment made between a man and a woman to one another and with God. Many in today’s culture lack an appreciation for understanding how in marriage a couple commit themselves to giving and receiving love unselfishly. Just as we celebrate today the Blessed Mother’s unselfish commitment to be the Mother of our Savior, we too in marriage say “yes” and commit ourselves totally to God and to each other in marriage, to give of ourselves totally to each other. Just as in today’s Gospel a young maiden gives of herself humbly and obediently to God, we are likewise called to give ourselves humbly and obediently to one another in marriage. This message to be self-giving, versus self -indulging is a message which is found to be counter cultural and a challenge to many in today's world. Today as we recall those unselfish words of the virgin to God’s Messenger, we remind ourselves that we are called to be like Mary: counter cultural. We are called to say Totus Tuus! Make a great day! 

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the beginning of our salvation. 

As the ancient Troparion for today announces “Today is the beginning of our salvation.” 

Today is the beginning of our salvation, and the revelation of the eternal mystery! The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin As Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos: "Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!"