Feast of Annunciation 2010

Today, I celebrate my 40^th anniversary of baptism. Confucius said, 「四十而不惑」 "Forty and not hesitant. Quadragesimo, jam non haesitabam" . He began his studies in 15 and after 25 years, he attained the stage of non-hesitant, the stage of clarity. I pray for myself that after 40 years of becoming a Catholic, I may do God's will without hesitation. Amen.

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of Annunciation. Angel Gabriel visited the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26) and announced to her God's plan of salvation (Luke 1:30-33). At first, Mary was puzzled (Luke 1:34). Gabriel reassured her and cleared away her hesitation (Luke 1:35-37). Mary consented.
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her
εἶπεν δὲ Μαριάμ, Ἰδοὺ ἡ δούλη κυρίου: γένοιτό μοι κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου. καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἀπ' αὐτῆς ὁ ἄγγελος.(Luke 1:38).
Thanks to the BVM. She was willing to cooperate with God and to clothe the Logos in human flesh. She kick-started the Salvation Project by carrying Christ to this world. The BVM is truly the first Christian.

Incarnation is a mystery. It was a hard nut to crack for the theologians of the first few centuries. Many failed to understand how the divinity of God and the humanity of Jesus were combined in the person of Christ. Nowadays, we enjoy the fruit of their hard work without knowing much about the controversies involved. When time comes, I will study Christology and hopefully I will be able to know more. In the meantime, let us study a bit from the Epistle to the Hebrews to get a glimpse of this mystery.
For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins (Hebrews 10:4).
For more than a thousand years, the Israelites had been offering the blood of bulls and goats to God to clear away their sins. Before the coming of Christ, death was the only way to do away with sins. Sins were disposed of with the death of sinners, but sins had never been undone. They remained and others continued to live in a sinful environment. In order to undo sins, a more effective remedy is needed. Christ entered the scene.

Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure."
Then I said, 'Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,' (Hebrews 10:5-7a)
The author of Hebrews was quoting from Psalm 40 (Psalm 39, LXX). King David was inspired to write this psalm (Psalm 40:1). This inspiration came from God. So, when Christ was quoting David, he was reclaiming his authorship. However, this is beside the point. The key point is that Christ came to take up our humble flesh to execute God's will. God wills to save all men and to do away with sins and the consequence of sins --- death. Therefore, Christ must die in order to shed his precious blood to undo the sins of the world. He must come back to life to defeat the last enemy of men --- death. This is the essence of Christianity. To destroy death, Christ must die first and then come back to life. In order to die, Christ must be fully human first. This is the mystery of Incarnation. This is the wisdom of God. Praise be God forever. Amen.

Dear Lord, may I follow the example of the BVM and of Christ to make good use of my flesh to do Your will. Amen.

Appendix:
θυσίαν καὶ προσφορὰν οὐκ ἠθέλησας, σῶμα δὲ κατηρτίσω μοι·
ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας οὐκ εὐδόκησας.
τότε εἶπον· ἰδοὺ ἥκω, ἐν κεφαλίδι βιβλίου γέγραπται περὶ ἐμοῦ, τοῦ ποιῆσαι ὁ θεὸς τὸ θέλημά σου.(Hebrews 10:5b-7)
θυσίαν καὶ προσφορὰν οὐκ ἠθέλησας, ὠτία δὲ κατηρτίσω μοι, ὁλοκαύτωμα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας οὐκ ᾔτησας. τότε εἶπον Ἰδοὺ ἥκω, ἐν κεφαλίδι βιβλίου γέγραπται περὶ ἐμοῦ,
τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημά σου, ὁ θεός μου. (Psalm 39:7-9a LXX)