The Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary; Passing into Eternal Life (1944) of Blessed Omelian (Emil) Kovch, Priest of Peremyshliany and Martyr of Majdanek
Feast of the Mother of God. Great Fast Day 31. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. The Vespers-Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated in the evening today. Holy Day of Obligation.
Read
Hebrews 2:11-18; Luke 1:24-38
We are more than halfway through Great Lend and may have become weary from fasting, prostrations and extra prayer which this penitential season calls us to. Not only do we have the usual Lenten practices, but this season we are also carrying the burden of a highly unusual pandemic—which most people have never experienced. In this time of built up fear and isolation we encounter a beautiful and ancient feast dedicated to the Mother of God. The feast of Annunciation always falls during a time of Great Lent and is a time of refreshment as we travel the journey of repentance toward the great feast of Pascha.
Today the Angel Gabriel’s words echo loudly, “Fear not…” When our hearts are calm and peaceful we are able to hear and understand more clearly the divine words of assurance that “The Lord is with you…” Today’s feast is the assurance of that reality. The God of the universe cares for each of us and He is willing to enter into our suffering, our loneliness and our misery. Today’s feast reminds us that even though I may be isolated, I am not alone: The Lord is with me and because I am united to Him and belong to His Body I am also united to all those who are in Him. Unity with God and neighbour is restored through Jesus Christ. Though we may be separated from one another for a short time we are united in Christ. The saints of the Church triumphant are also with us. Let us open our hearts to the Prince of Peace and renew ourselves in this harmonious cosmic unity that He brings by renewing ourselves in our Blessed Mother’s words: “let it be to me according to your word.”