Overshadowed
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 1:26-38 – In the sixth month, 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, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is crucial that we note that Mary’s glory isn’t because she has total power in herself. Instead, the glory of Mary is that God’s glory lives in her. Mary so completely opened herself to God, that God not only came to her, but God lived (and lives) in her. This perfect union of people with God (us with God!) is the goal of the Christian life.
If we sense that we are too weak to unite ourselves to God, we are actually quite right. But we are only part of the equation… and the little part at that. The other part of the equation is God. God provides for our limitations with His own power. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” The Most High can overshadow us, our limitations, our weakness, our sin with His infinite power. And then He will make us good. This is our faith. And it is certainly not impossible for God. In prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to change us and to open us up more to God. God’s work in Mary shows us that the wonders He is willing to do in us humans are, quite literally, infinite.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture above. (Optional – allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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