Praying the Communion Antiphon; The Annunciation of Mary

 Praying the Communion Antiphon Series

Praying the Communion Antiphon

On Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, which replaces the Lenten weekday.

So today in our Communion Antiphon we do not continue the Lenten weekday flow but we enter the mystery of the Annunciation.

 

A Time Set Apart: The Annunciation

The Word Becomes Flesh

Communion Antiphon (cf. Isaiah 7:14)

Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son;

and his name will be called Emmanuel.

 

Thinking About the Words

“Behold…”

This is a word of attention.

Something extraordinary is happening.
We are invited to pause and look closely.

“A Virgin shall conceive…”

This is not just a biological statement.  It is a theological revelation.

God is acting in a completely new way.

Not through power or through force. God acts through gift and openness.

“And bear a son…”

The promise becomes concrete. God’s plan is no longer distant — it is entering history.

“Emmanuel…”

This is the key.

“God with us.”

God is not far away or is God observing. God enters into human life from within.

 

The Heart of the Annunciation

The Gospel (Luke 1:26–38) brings us to Mary.  The angel speaks.  Mary listens.
And then comes the moment:

“Let it be done to me according to your word.”

This is one of the most important responses in all of Scripture.

Mary does not fully understand. However she makes the choice to trust.

 

Connection to Lent

This solemnity is not a distraction from Lent.

It is its deepest foundation.  Everything we are moving toward:

• the Cross
• redemption
• the “lifting up” of the Son

begins here.

The Cross begins with “yes.”

Without Mary’s “yes, “there is no Incarnation. Without the Incarnation, there is no Cross. Without the Cross, there is no resurrection.

 

Connection to Yesterday

Yesterday we heard:

“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know…”

Today we see where that begins: The Son is first received.

Not lifted up yet…but conceived.

 

A Lenten Insight

Lent often focuses on what we give up or do. However today shifts the focus:

Are we willing to receive what God is doing? Mary shows us that the spiritual life begins not with effort, but with openness.

 

At Communion

At Communion, we receive the same Christ:

• first received by Mary
• now given to us

The Annunciation becomes present again:

God comes to dwell within.

 

Reflection

• Where might God be inviting me to say “yes”?
• Do I need to understand everything before I trust?
• What does openness to God look like in my life today?
• How can I receive Christ more deeply this Lent?

 

There is something very gentle about today.

In the middle of Lent, the Church pauses and reminds us:

Salvation begins quietly…with a yes.

And that yes still echoes in every Eucharist,every prayer,
and every moment of trust

Prayer

Lord,
like Mary,
help me to receive your word with trust.
Let your life take root within me
and grow according to your will.