FaithICSSS15


 * December 8th, 2014 Gospel **

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">But Mary said to the angel, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">“How can this be, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">since I have no relations with a man?” <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">And the angel said to her in reply, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Therefore the child to be born <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">will be called holy, the Son of God. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">has also conceived a son in her old age, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">for nothing will be impossible for God.” <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">May it be done to me according to your word.” <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Then the angel departed from her.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Luke 1: 26-38 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Gabriel, an angel sent from God, goes to Nazareth, a town in Galilee. He goes to the Virgin Mary and explains to her that she will have a son and his name will be Jesus, and will be the Son of God. He also tells her that Elizabeth, Mary's cousin, will also have a son despite her old age. He tells her that nothing is impossible for God. Mary proclaims that she will do it according to Gabriel's word, and Gabriel leaves.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Summary **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> God is trying to teach us that anything is possible and is shown in this passage. Mary was a virgin, and would have Jesus, the Son of God. Elizabeth was very old and would have John the Baptist, a prophet. Both of these miracles couldn't scientifically happen, but God made them happen. Anything is possible with God, and by doing his will and living as Jesus did, we can make anything happen. God also teaches us that with him, we can get through anything. When Mary found out she was having a child, she became scared and overwhelmed as well as Elizabeth. But, they took on the challenge and responsibility. They couldn't have done this without the Help of God, his guidance, abundance, and protection. God can help us with anything, like he helped Mary to be able to take on the responsibility of soon having a son. We can get through anything, accomplish anything, take on any responsibility, and even do the impossible. All we need to do is pray, live as Jesus did, trust in God, and do his will.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Reflection **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Dear Lord, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">please help me to embrace and take on my responsibilities like Mary did no matter how overwhelming, hard, or challenging they may be. Help us to remember that with your power and abundance, that anything is possible and that anything can be accomplished. Help me get through troubled times, a hard assignment, or whatever may be hard for me. Thank you for blessing me and giving me the chance of facing a challenge because your plan for us will always result in a good outcome. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Prayer **