THE ANNUNCIATION (Lk 1:26-38) … reclaiming kindness
The texts published here are taken from the report that Sister Simona Brambilla, MC, Secretary of our Dicastery, gave to the Polish Conference of Major Superiors in September 2024.
Through four biblical icons, the challenges that Consecrated Life is called to live today are expressed.
2. THE ANNUNCIATION (Lk 1:26-38) … reclaiming kindness
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.
The Annunciation is a biblical icon that carries powerful messages that can reach and transform the depths of our existence as persons and communities, if we allow it to. I will mention only a few resonances of this scene, which challenge and call us, as consecrated men and women, to cultivate in us, among us and in the world an awakening of sensitivity, tenderness, care and custody in relationships.
In Beato Angelico’s depiction of the Annunciation (I am referring to the Northern Corridor Annunciation, from the place where it is located inside the convent of San Marco, in Florence), as in many others, the Angel Gabriel is depicted kneeling before the Virgin, anxiously awaiting the answer. An image and movement charged with reverence, delicacy, and respect, conveying all the density of the dialogue between the two, which has reached its climax. The Angel Gabriel announces God’s message not only with the words he speaks, but also with his posture. God proposes, God waits. God kneels before his creature, for whom he has boundless respect, to whom he approaches with the most intense and reverent delicacy, venerating her freedom. The creature asks questions and the Lord listens to them, with immense respect and consideration. God’s is an approach that is a blessing, limpid, reverent, moving, most attentive to the otherness with which he enters into relationship.
The scene of the Angel kneeling before Mary may remind us of other accounts of “kneeling” in the Gospel: the Samaritan with the wounded man, and the Lord washing the feet of his own... This is God, the God of Jesus Christ. A God on his knees. As consecrated men and women, are we not called to proclaim this God in word and life? To let His most humble love, respect, reverence, gentleness, blessing, the royal kindness of the Lord live in us?