Daily Gospel Reflection for March 25, 2026: Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

This passage reminds me of many stories in the Old Testament in which God does impossible things. In each of these stories, God invites someone into a deeper relationship of faith in Him and brings deliverance to His people through their willingness to obey and trust in Him. Noah built an ark to save his family and animals from the flood. Moses parted the Red Sea to deliver the Israelites from Pharaoh. Gideon led the Israelites to defeat the Midianites with an army unfit to win the battle. Each of the disciples left everything they knew and owned to follow Jesus, most of them leaving everything behind immediately after being called by Him.

 

When the angel Gabriel visits Mary, she is perturbed by his greeting. In the Old Testament, when the phrase, “The Lord is with you” is used, it is often in accord with a military venture. I imagine Mary might be confused by this. Additionally, she doesn’t understand how she will give birth to a son outside of natural law. Gabriel reminds her that nothing is impossible for God. His words to Mary remind her of how God has wrought impossible things in the Israelites’ past and tell her of the impossible thing He is currently working—Elizabeth’s pregnancy in her old age. Gabriel’s message is one for us all—there is always hope. God’s ways are unlike our own. When we don’t understand, when things in our life are confusing or painful, we can lean into Him and trust that he cares and will deliver us.