Thoughts for the Day

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

'Once upon a time, a pilgrim set out on a journey in search of peace, joy and love. He walked for many weary miles and time passed. He saw war, sickness, and quarrels. The more the people owned the more warlike they were, for the more they had to defend. Longing for peace they prepared for war; longing for love they built up walls of distrust and suspicion. One day he came to a little shop. Intrigued he went inside, to find an elderly shopkeeper who asked, "What would you like? We have everything you most desire, here!"

The pilgrim took a death breath. "I want peace - in my own family, in my homeland, in the whole world." He paused. "I want the sick to be well; the hungry to have enough to eat; I want all children to be educated; and I want the world to be a kingdom of love."

Suddenly, the shopkeeper interrupted him, "I'm sorry," he said. "I should have explained. We don't supply the fruits here. We only supply the seeds!" (Anon. Abridged from 'One Hundred Wisdom Stories' by Margaret Silf)

We remember today the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel came to announce to Mary that she would bear God's Son. But like our story above it was only the potential for salvation that was offered. Without the active participation of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and countless disciples over the ages, we would never have been offered God's love and the possibility of eternal life. We, too, are only offered the seeds however, and must work on growing the fruit in our life!

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the faithfulness
of Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus,
and for all who have listened to Your Son
as faithful members of the Church.
We thank You also for all who have taught
and nurtured us in the faith,
and ask Your help in turning
seeds in our life, into fruit.
Amen.