A The virgin will conceive.
The Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying:
Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God;
let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered,
"I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!"
Then Isaiah said:
Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary people,
must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us!"
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Commentary on Is 7:10-14; 8:10
In the first part of this reading, the prophet attempts to reassure the king as Jerusalem comes under threat of attack from Syria. King Ahaz is offered a sign by the Prophet Isaiah. However, Ahaz refuses the sign because it would indicate that God was intervening on the prophet’s side and he did not want to accept that.
The sign that would be given in spite of the King’s refusal is the oracle we understand as referring to the perfect realization of the promise of a Davidic dynasty in the birth of the Messiah – Christ Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary.
“The sign proposed by Isaiah was concerned with the preservation of Judah in the midst of distress (cf Isaiah 7:15, 17), but more especially with the fulfillment of God's earlier promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) in the coming of Immanuel (meaning, 'With us is God') as the ideal king (cf Isaiah 9:5-6; 11:1-5). The Church has always followed St. Matthew in seeing the transcendent fulfillment of this verse in Christ and his Virgin Mother.”[1]
"The child, the son, is the most significant part of the sign. If the prophecy refers to the son of Ahaz, the future King Hezekiah, it would be indicating that his birth will be a sign of divine protection, because it will mean that the dynasty will continue. If it refers to another child, not yet known, the prophet's words would mean that the child's birth could manifest hope that 'God was going to be with us,' and his reaching the age of discretion (v. 16) would indicate the advent of peace; the child's birth would, then, be the sign that 'God is with us.'" [2]
CCC: Is 7:14 497
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Or Appendix I. 6 A shoot shall come forth from the stump of Jesse.
On that day,
On that day,
Isaiah predicts that the line of David will produce the Messiah with the first verse; “stump of Jesse”, Kind David’s father. The stump refers to the line of David being cut back during the Babylonian Exile. He follows with, for the first time in scripture, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit [3] (note also, the reference to fullness, in Hebrew numerology the number “7” is the perfect number.). In the Septuagint and the Vulgate the word "piety" is coupled with “fear of the Lord”.
Repeating the source of the messianic king coming from the line of King David, "the root of Jesse." The passage concludes with a clear statement that the Messiah and the peace he brings is for all the faithful, not just those in Jerusalem.
R. (See 8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice and offering you do not want;
"Your commands for me are written in the scroll.
I announced your deed to a great assembly;
Your deed I did not hide within my heart;
While Psalm 40 is a song of thanksgiving, it is also combined with a lament. The constant call for conversion of heart above ancient sacrifice is clear, since in Christ's body and blood the ultimate sacrifice of atonement has been made for all time. The final strophes in this selection announce the singers courage in boldly proclaiming God's glory and praise among all the people and confidence in His mercy toward those who trust in him.
Or Appendix I. 6 A shoot shall come forth from the stump of Jesse.
On that day,
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A Spirit of counsel and of strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
On that day,
The root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
The Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.
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Commentary on Is 11:1-5, 10
Isaiah predicts that the line of David will produce the Messiah with the first verse; “stump of Jesse”, Kind David’s father. The stump refers to the line of David being cut back during the Babylonian Exile. He follows with, for the first time in scripture, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit [3] (note also, the reference to fullness, in Hebrew numerology the number “7” is the perfect number.). In the Septuagint and the Vulgate the word "piety" is coupled with “fear of the Lord”.
Repeating the source of the messianic king coming from the line of King David, "the root of Jesse." The passage concludes with a clear statement that the Messiah and the peace he brings is for all the faithful, not just those in Jerusalem.
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (See 8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice and offering you do not want;
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts and sin-offerings you do not require;
so I said, "Here I am."
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
"Your commands for me are written in the scroll.
To do your will is my delight;
my God, your law is in my heart!"
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your deed to a great assembly;
I did not restrain my lips;
you, LORD, are my witness.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Your deed I did not hide within my heart;
your loyal deliverance I have proclaimed.
I made no secret of your enduring kindness
to a great assembly.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
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Commentary on Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11
While Psalm 40 is a song of thanksgiving, it is also combined with a lament. The constant call for conversion of heart above ancient sacrifice is clear, since in Christ's body and blood the ultimate sacrifice of atonement has been made for all time. The final strophes in this selection announce the singers courage in boldly proclaiming God's glory and praise among all the people and confidence in His mercy toward those who trust in him.
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GOSPEL
A You will conceive and bear a son.
Luke 1:26-38
CCC: Lk 1:26-38 497, 706, 723, 2571; Lk 1:26-27 488; Lk 1:26 332; Lk 1:28-37 494; Lk 1:28 490, 491; Lk 1:31 430, 2812; Lk 1:32-33 709; Lk 1:32 559; Lk 1:34 484, 497, 505; Lk 1:35 437, 484, 486, 697; Lk 1:37-38 494; Lk 1:37 148, 269, 273, 276; Lk 1:38 64, 148, 510, 2617, 2677, 2827, 2856
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
Following the genealogy, St. Matthew presents a shortened narrative about the nativity of Jesus (relative to those in Mark and Luke). While more is said of St. Joseph’s encounter with the messenger from God, the story of Mary’s virginal conception through the Holy Spirit is described. In the account of St. Matthew a sense of fulfillment is communicated most clearly as he quotes Isaiah as predicting the conception of Christ in Isaiah 7:14. “The natural genealogical line is broken, but the promises to David are fulfilled. Through Joseph's adoption, the child belongs to the family of David. Matthew sees the virginal conception as the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14.” [3]
CCC: Mt 1:18-25 497; Mt 1:20 333, 437, 486, 497; Mt 1:21 430, 437, 452, 1507, 1846, 2666, 2812; Mt 1:23 497, 744
GOSPEL
A You will conceive and bear a son.
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.
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Commentary on Lk 1:26-38
This passage, from St. Luke’s Gospel, is the story of Mary being informed by the archangel Gabriel that she has been chosen for the great privilege of bearing the Savior of the world. St. Mary graciously accepts this honor, although with very human fear, indicating that her free will is at play. This response makes her obedience to God’s will more powerful. It is proposed that, with this acceptance, Mary entered into a vow of perpetual virginity because of the demands of Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel."
In St. Luke’s story of the Annunciation, the archangel Gabriel comes to Mary and tells her she will bear a son and name him Jesus (the eternal implication of this statement is made clear in the greeting which presupposes knowledge of Mary’s entire existence). Mary confirms the title “Virgin” as she questions Gabriel saying: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” Even though she does not understand, Mary accepts her role and is told that the Holy Spirit will be the agent of the life within her. She then utters those amazing words: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
This announcement parallels Zechariah’s news about John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-23), also delivered by the archangel Gabriel. This passage clearly identifies Jesus as Son of David and Son of God, thus linking it with the messianic predictions from the Old Testament.
CCC: Lk 1:26-38 497, 706, 723, 2571; Lk 1:26-27 488; Lk 1:26 332; Lk 1:28-37 494; Lk 1:28 490, 491; Lk 1:31 430, 2812; Lk 1:32-33 709; Lk 1:32 559; Lk 1:34 484, 497, 505; Lk 1:35 437, 484, 486, 697; Lk 1:37-38 494; Lk 1:37 148, 269, 273, 276; Lk 1:38 64, 148, 510, 2617, 2677, 2827, 2856
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B Or Appendix III, 17 What is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
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Commentary on Mt 1:18-23
Following the genealogy, St. Matthew presents a shortened narrative about the nativity of Jesus (relative to those in Mark and Luke). While more is said of St. Joseph’s encounter with the messenger from God, the story of Mary’s virginal conception through the Holy Spirit is described. In the account of St. Matthew a sense of fulfillment is communicated most clearly as he quotes Isaiah as predicting the conception of Christ in Isaiah 7:14. “The natural genealogical line is broken, but the promises to David are fulfilled. Through Joseph's adoption, the child belongs to the family of David. Matthew sees the virginal conception as the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14.” [3]
CCC: Mt 1:18-25 497; Mt 1:20 333, 437, 486, 497; Mt 1:21 430, 437, 452, 1507, 1846, 2666, 2812; Mt 1:23 497, 744
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[1] See NAB footnote on Isaiah 7: 10ff
[2] The Navarre Bible: “Major Prophets”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, p.73
Reflection:
The Annunciation is the story of the Lord’s conception by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) says this about the Annunciation:
484 The Annunciation to Mary inaugurates "the fullness of time", the time of the fulfillment of God's promises and preparations. Mary was invited to conceive him in whom the "whole fullness of deity" would dwell "bodily". The divine response to her question, "How can this be, since I know not man?", was given by the power of the Spirit: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you."
As is implied by this statement, the visit Mary received from the archangel Gabriel sets in motion a series of events that fulfills God’s plan from the beginning. It is God’s final revelatory act of love and mercy, given to his creation that they (we) might accept the inheritance he has prepared for us.
Think of it! It all depends on a young girl, Mary, accepting God’s offer (it is in fact an offer, not a pronouncement). And what was that incredible offer? Mary had to know that conceiving a child at that time in her life without a husband could mean her death by stoning, the punishment prescribed by law for an adulteress. Yet her response is so humble and simple: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
With that humble act of faith, Mary establishes herself as the first of the saints. Her example of selfless love provides an avenue of grace that fills her and assures her a preeminent place in the heavenly kingdom.
On this occasion we pause in our anticipation to thank God for his act of love in sending his Only Begotten Son into the world. We thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for choosing to become man, and at the same time to become the sacrifice that takes away our sins. And we thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for making her courageous decision and accepting the path offered to her.
Pax
The Annunciation is the story of the Lord’s conception by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) says this about the Annunciation:
484 The Annunciation to Mary inaugurates "the fullness of time", the time of the fulfillment of God's promises and preparations. Mary was invited to conceive him in whom the "whole fullness of deity" would dwell "bodily". The divine response to her question, "How can this be, since I know not man?", was given by the power of the Spirit: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you."
As is implied by this statement, the visit Mary received from the archangel Gabriel sets in motion a series of events that fulfills God’s plan from the beginning. It is God’s final revelatory act of love and mercy, given to his creation that they (we) might accept the inheritance he has prepared for us.
Think of it! It all depends on a young girl, Mary, accepting God’s offer (it is in fact an offer, not a pronouncement). And what was that incredible offer? Mary had to know that conceiving a child at that time in her life without a husband could mean her death by stoning, the punishment prescribed by law for an adulteress. Yet her response is so humble and simple: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
With that humble act of faith, Mary establishes herself as the first of the saints. Her example of selfless love provides an avenue of grace that fills her and assures her a preeminent place in the heavenly kingdom.
On this occasion we pause in our anticipation to thank God for his act of love in sending his Only Begotten Son into the world. We thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for choosing to become man, and at the same time to become the sacrifice that takes away our sins. And we thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for making her courageous decision and accepting the path offered to her.
Pax
[2] The Navarre Bible: “Major Prophets”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, p.73
[3] From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1831 “The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.
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