LK 1: 26-38
The gospel of Luke for the third week of Advent is about the Immaculate Conception. The gospel reflects when the angel Gabriel was sent from God to the Virgin Mary. When he came to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubles by this. Then the angel told her that she will conceive and bear a son and his name shall be Jesus. “He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High,” the angel Gabriel said. Mary knew that she was hearing something beyond human capability. Mary’s response of “yes” to the divine message is a model of faith for all believers. God gives us his grace and we are expected to respond with the same obedience and willingness just as Mary did.