Because God became a human being, we can have a person-to-person relationship with Him. We can see Jesus face to face (1 Cor 13:12), touch Him, be touched by Him, kiss Him, talk to Him, and hear Him. Because God became a human being, He could and did suffer and die for love of us. He justified, redeemed, and saved us.

Because God became a human being, He could rise from the dead, conquer death, and make it possible for us also to rise from the dead. Because God became a human being, we can receive the body and blood of Jesus in Holy Communion and be walking tabernacles.

Because God became a human being, Jesus has made it possible for us to be baptized into Him and into His death and resurrection (Rm 6:3-4) and thereby become new creations (see Gal 6:15). We can become children of God and sharers in His divine nature (2 Pt 1:4).

The Annunciation commemorates not only the announcing of the Incarnation and the virgin birth. It also announces Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. It announces our salvation, resurrection, adoption into God's family, and sharing in His nature. Respond to the greatest of good news by saying with Mary: "Let it be done to me according to God's word" (see Lk 1:38).

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 11, 2008

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