Daily Readings for April 9, 2018

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

1st READING

Today’s reading is the prophecy of the Jewish people’s victory against the armies that invaded Jerusalem – they defeated their enemies in nine months’ time. This reading helps us understand better what Matthew wrote about Mary — she is to give birth within nine months to a child who will save us from sin. More than a military victory, it is a spiritual one that has gained for us eternal life.

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10

10 The Lord spoke to Ahaz saying, 11 Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!” 12 But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, 8:10 which means, ‘God is with us!’” 

PSALM 

Psalm 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 11 (or Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 21)

R: Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

6 [7] Sacrifice or offering you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not. 7 [8] Then said I, “Behold I come. (R) In the written scroll it is prescribed for me. 8 [9] To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” (R) 9 [10] I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know. (R) 10 [11] Your justice I kept not hid within my heart; your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of; I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth in the vast assembly. (R)

2ND READING

Today’s reading reminds us that Christ’s suffering on the cross is unlike the blood offerings of goats and bulls. He is the Son of God who gave His life for us and the power of His blood surpasses any sacrifice offered in the past. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is efficacious for our salvation.

Hebrews 10:4-10

4 Brothers and sisters: It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins. 5 For this reason, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me. 6 In holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. 7 Then I said, ‘As it is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.’” 8 First Christ says, “Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in.” These are offered  according to the law. 9 Then he says, “Behold, I come to do your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

GOSPEL

Mary becomes Jesus’ first disciple when she said yes to the request of the Angel Gabriel. She is the model of discipleship as she followed in faith the most unknown path of all – to be the mother of the Son of God and to bear the sufferings and joys of this calling. We will never know the struggles Mary had. We will never comprehend her sorrows and joys. However, we know that we will have our share of both as we follow Jesus.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us and we saw his glory.

Luke 1:26-38

26 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35 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. 36 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; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 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.