‘Yes’ to God’s Will!

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord!

Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord celebrates the ‘Yes’ given by both Jesus and Mary.

The ‘Yes’ of Jesus: The ‘yes’ given by Jesus is central to activating God’s plan of redemption for humanity, as it represents his willing participation in the Father’s divine will. From his willingness to take on human flesh, Jesus aligned with God’s plan to enter into human history, flesh and blood, to encounter human life in all its rawness, and achieve redemption for us from the cross. Hence, the ‘yes’ of Jesus is already implied within the Annunciation narrative because, without Jesus’ willingness to become incarnate, there could be no path open to salvation. However, when we think of the affirmative response by Jesus, we must remember that it was not only about his incarnation but was also a continuous act of surrender throughout his life. 

The ‘Yes’ of Mary: Mary’s ‘fiat’ (‘Let it be done to me according to Your will’) has profound theological significance as it marks the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation. Why is Mary’s ‘yes’ celebrated and important? Mary’s act of surrender reveals her immense faith because she chose to trust in God’s providence, though she did not fully understand the implications of her response as it was surrounded by uncertainty and stigma. By showing the way to trust in God’s grand design for our lives, Mary becomes our model in faith and humility. Just like her son, Mary’s ‘yes’ had its beginning in her ‘fiat,’ and her act of surrender to God’s will continued for the rest of her life. 

If the proclamation of God’s will is Good News, then those who made it possible are Jesus and Mary through their ‘yes’ to God’s will for humanity. 

A meaningful celebration of the feast of the Annunciation happens when we say ‘yes’ to God’s will and set our hearts and minds on actualizing it. 

Let us pray that we may cooperate with God to make this world a better place just as Jesus and Mary did through their willingness and cooperation. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar