Gospel in Art: Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

The Annunciation from illuminated Book of Hours, Paris,1420-1425 © The Morgan Library, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 8 April 2024
Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.' She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.' Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?' 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you' the angel answered 'and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.' 'I am the handmaid of the Lord,' said Mary 'let what you have said be done to me.' And the angel left her.

Reflection on the Illuminated Manuscript Page

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. Normally this feast is celebrated on 25th March, exactly nine months before Christmas. This year however, as the 25th of March fell during Holy Week, the solemnity was transferred to today.

We know that Mary was very young when she was being asked the question to be the Mother of Jesus and Mother of God. Just imagine being asked such a question at her tender young age. But therein lies the beauty of today's feast: in her youth, her littleness, she accepted the call in joyful love. It seems that the whole of humanity waited for the consent of this young girl. And she said yes!

So the greatest love story starts with today's feast. God loves our world so much that He sent His Son. And each time we pray, we become fully part of this wonderful love story, knowing that God can guide every detail in our own lives.

Our beautiful French illuminated manuscript page from circa 1420 depicts Our Lady underneath a vaulted arch. Golden rays emanate from God the Father in the upper left, descending onto Mary through the dove that represents the Holy Spirit . The Archangel Gabriel, holds a scroll inscribed AVE GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM (Hail, filled with grace, the Lord is with you). Our Lady has a graceful pose, veiled, kneeling, her hands crossed on her chest. Behind her on the altar is an open book: the fulfillment of Scripture is truly happening now. Our Lady is also represented in a reserve below where she is seated on a bench in front of a hand-loom, holding shuttle in her right hand, in a garden setting with two trees.

In her response to God's calling, Mary simply said yes… to let God be God.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-1-26-38-2024/
Competition: The Laudamus Award 2024 for Sacred Art - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/49310