This sermon was preached during the 2017 Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana Christian League of Episcopal Youth (CLEY) Conference Eucharist at the Chapel of the Holy Family at Camp Hardtner Episcopal Camp and Conference Center in Pollack, Louisiana on March 25, 2017, being the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Collect: Pour Your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of Your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by His cross and passion be brought to the glory of His resurrection; who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings: Isaiah 7.10-14; Psalm 40.5-11; Hebrews 10.4-10; Luke 1.26-38
“Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.'”–Luke 1.38 (NRSV)
In the Name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Originally, the plan was for us to celebrate the eve of the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare) by keeping the Sunday propers appointed by the lectionary. But after waking up this morning and seeing that it was the Solemnity of the Annunciation on my calendar, the original plan was instantly scrapped, the hunt for white vestments was successful, and a completely new sermon was written. So, how providential it is that our weekend together includes this important Lenten festal celebration!
We all know the story well. The archangel Gabriel appears to young Mary and tells her that she will give birth to Jesus, who “will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High…He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Wondering how this could happen, being that she hasn’t done anything with anybody, Mary is told that “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 holy; he will be called Son of God.” Assured of the angel’s word, Mary says yes to God’s will: “Let it be with me according to your word.”
Throughout our time together, with our theme being “The Gospel According to the Simpsons,” we have explored three principle topics: skepticism, prayer, and how good always wins in the end. In tonight’s Gospel, we see all three of these. Mary is, at first, skeptical, because what Gabriel proclaims to her defies all sorts of natural law. Yet, all with all the Hebrew people, Mary prayed for the Messiah to one day come and believed God to be truthful in His promise. And it was from her faith in God’s promise that her “yes” helped bring into the world the Ultimate Good that always wins in the end. And not only would Christ come to ransom Israel, but ALL the world, including you and me!
One of the greatest things about the Annunciation is that it occurs during Lent. In Lent, this day serves as an important reminder of the fact that redemption is coming and all will be well in the end. In the Annunciation is seen the foreshadowing of Easter. So, we are, once again, being reminded: Have no fear!
Another important aspect about the Annunciation is that it shows us that having faith in the irrational can lead to something that is gloriously splendid and rational. The fact that the God of the universe loved us so much that He would come down to us in the Person of Jesus, subject Himself to great suffering and a horrendous death all for our sake, and defeat death so that we, all broken sinners, could be redeemed and have everlasting life with Him baffles the mind. But yet, it makes God all the more interesting and alluring. And the more God draws us in, the more true we see Him to be. The mystery that is God’s love is a most glorious mystery.
And, perhaps, among the chief purposes of Annunciation Day is that it teaches us about Christian discipleship. At the heart of the Annunciation is the response of Mary to Gabriel: “Let it be.” In saying yes to God’s will, Mary reminds us that it is not about us, that we are not the one’s who are in control. Our Lady teaches us to trust the Lord’s will, that the plans He has for us are better than what we could have ever conceived for ourselves. Mary trusted God; she believed what others would say was impossible. In the Annunciation, Mary becomes the epitome of Christian discipleship. Because of her “yes,” all generations call her blessed.
It is my hope that all of us will have the courage to say “yes” to God’s love and will for our lives just like Mary. In doing so, the Holy Spirit will come upon us and the power of the Most High will overshadow us. To say “yes” to God is to be made holy in His sight. Like Mary, we will become full of grace and Jesus’ presence will be ever with us. Let us allow God to transform us with His love. Let us, like Mary, show the world that Jesus is love and in Him can be found peace and salvation forevermore.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
THE ANGLO-CATHOLIC GENTLEMAN 