Pastoral Message
Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
These days, with Lent in full swing, we go to Mass expecting violet vestments, no “Glory to God,” and no “Alleluia.” It’s all part of our penitential atmosphere. But there are at least two days when things are different. Last Wednesday, March 19th, was the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The vestments were white and there was a “Glory to God.” The Gospel acclamation was still free of the word “Alleluia,” but that was the only Lenten touch to an otherwise festive occasion. Why is St. Joseph celebrated on March 19th? I don’t know, but I do know that the Church has been doing this at least since the 10th century after Christ. (By the way, Wikipedia—source of all wisdom and knowledge—doesn’t know why either!)
The other Solemnity that falls during Lent is this coming Tuesday, March 25th. That’s the Solemnity of the Anunciation, which commemorates the coming of the Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the news that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. With Mary’s response, “May it be done to me according to your word,” she conceived Jesus. In this case, we can understand the reasoning behind the date of the Solemnity of the Anunciation: it is nine months before we celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th.
Although the Anunciation seems to be a “Christmasy” kind of solemnity, its message is really good for all the circumstances of our lives, including the Lenten Season. It’s all about a humble servant of God saying “yes” to his will, knowing full well that it won’t always be easy. The Anunciation happens to us many times every day. Every time we have a decision to make, and we take God’s will into account, the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary reminds us that saying “yes” to God’s will is how we bring Christ to the world.
Now you know why the Anunciation is my favorite mystery of the rosary (the first Joyful Mystery), and why I have a large picture of the Anunciation next to my kneeler in the prayer space of my bedroom.
“May it be done to me according to your word,” as Mary said.
-AND-
“Thy will be done,” as Jesus taught us to say in the Lord’s Prayer.
Blessings,
Fr. Philip
