The Holy Spirit and the Annunciation

I try to begin every day with a Bible reading.  After discovering a wonderful Bible study a few years ago called The Great Adventure, I finally began to grasp what Salvation History really means.  I realize now the critical importance of becoming more familiar with both the Old and New Testament.

Before I start my reading, I always pray to the Holy Spirit to help me know, understand and live the Word of God.  I am often amazed when the selection I'm reading brings me insight, inspiration.or understanding.

The Holy Spirit is probably the most difficult of the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity to comprehend.  He is depicted as a dove (Matthew 3:16), as the wind (Acts 2:2), as a cloud (Mark 9:7) or as tongues of fire (Acts 2:3).  Since I am no theologian, I direct you to this link for a very thorough teaching on the Holy Spirit.  (I refer to the Holy Spirit as "He" although there is no gender associated with a being who is pure spirit.  It would definitely be a mistake to refer to the Holy Spirit as "she," as you'll see below.)

The most important role, in my mind at least, of the Holy Spirit is His presence in the First Joyful Mystery, The Annunciation.  He is revealed rather subtly in the opening words of this scene when the Angel Gabriel greets Mary with the words, "Hail, full of grace." (Luke 1:28)  Since the Holy Spirit is the Giver of Grace, He has prepared Mary from conception to be the Mother of God (CCC 721)  Then He "overshadows" Mary and the "Word is made flesh." (John 1:14). 

Stop for a moment and reflect upon this scene.  The Holy Spirit has become the Divine Spouse of the Blessed Virgin.  Clearly not a "she" then.  This union is not a sexual one, but a great mystery.  Another Catholic truth that shines forth here is Mary's perpetual virginity.  As the spouse of the Holy Spirit, she could never enter into an intimate relationship with a mere human.  One more point to ponder:  At the beginning of the scene, Mary is "full of grace".  At the end, the Holy Spirit, Giver of Grace, has overshadowed her and God Incarnate enters her womb.  Now, Mary is literally overflowing with grace. 

Since today is Monday, the traditional day to pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, take some time to reflect on the First Joyful Mystery, the Annunciation, and the role of the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother.

As we approach the day of Pentecost, the great feast of the Holy Spirit, make a resolution to learn more about this Third Person of the Holy Trinity.  The links in this post will lead to more information, or try these:
Catholic Culture article on the Holy Spirit and Mary  (Search the library of this excellent site for more articles)
EWTN article (Also, many more articles on this site)

Feast of the Annunciation

Today is the Feast of the Annunciation, the First Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.  Note that on today's date, March 25, there are exactly nine months until Christmas.

The details of this event are related in just one small paragraph in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:26-35; I prefer the Douay-Rheims version), yet it is one of the most pivotal events in human and salvation history. 

The Annunciation can be traced all the way back to Genesis 3:15 (again I prefer the text of the Douay-Rheims Bible).  Mary is indeed that Woman who crushes the head of Satan.  That is why she is often depicted in art with a snake under her foot. 

To aid my Rosary meditation, I often like to find interesting and beautiful works of art that depict the various mysteries.  Since my family travels frequently, I often take the time to visit art museums, and I particularly enjoy looking at religious art. 

I came across this painting of the Annunciation (above) by George Hitchcock in the Art Institute of Chicago.  I was immediately drawn to its simple beauty, and I liked that it was different from so many other typical paintings of this mystery,which usually show an angel presenting Mary with a single lily.  Here, she is surrounded by lilies, the symbol of purity and virginity.  Mary, "full of grace," is the new Eve, depicted in a garden of lilies, reversing the disobedience of the old Eve in that long-ago garden of Paradise.  Her fiat, or yes, will allow us to re-enter that garden.

I could spend the rest of my life meditating on this one mystery of the Rosary and never fully grasp its depth and beauty.  Today, I will reflect on Mary's words, "May it be done to me according to thy word."  I hope and pray that I can find the strength to do what God wills of me.