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Reading
Luke 1:26
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
Devotion
Today's artwork is a mosaic found in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth (a tip of the hat to my friend Mel Soriano for the photo). The mosaic is a gift of the people of the Philippines to the Basilica. The words mean “Angel’s greetings of the Lord to Mary” and are in Tagala. You can find the mosaic in the courtyard along with dozens of others that are gifts from Christians around the world.
I'm struck by the vibrancy of the colors. Art from the Philippines, I have a couple of pieces, feature these bright colors. I find it fascinating that Mary's figure is so much greater than that of the angel--it really is as if her soul is magnifying the Lord. I love the Filipino farm and plants, which encourage imagining the activity of God wherever one happens to find oneself. The blue tiles and the Holy Spirit take my imagination into the realm of heaven and pondering what God asks of me in order for 'thy will to be done on earth as it is heaven.'
Angels are God's messengers. Perhaps God has a message for you this day, dear reader? What does God ask of you? Is it challenging? How can you say, along with Mary, "Yes!"
Prayer
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. (Book of Common Prayer)