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Monday, April 8, 2013

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Annunciation


Isaiah 7:10-14
Hebrews 10:4-10
Psalm 40:7-11
Luke 1:26-38

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shocked back to life

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." —Luke 1:35

Why would the all-holy God become a human being? (see 2 Cor 5:21) To Muslims and Jews, it seems blasphemous to suggest that the Supreme Being became a tiny human being implanted in the wall of Mary's uterus. Why would the Creator become a creature? "How can this be?" (Lk 1:34)

Jesus' Incarnation should blow our minds. This will result either in confusion or in fear of the Lord. If we accept the Spirit's gift of fear of the Lord, we will begin to have wisdom. We will realize that God is so holy He is beyond our concepts of holiness. We will wisely see that we are so fallen that only the incarnate, crucified, and risen God can save us from our sins against the all-holy One. If we begin to understand that the Incarnation is a mystery, we will be wise enough to worship, obey, and serve Jesus with abandon. We will receive the Incarnate Jesus in Holy Communion as often as possible. We will tell the world about Him. We will never be the same. We will be shocked out of selfishness and into reality.

Prayer:  Father, "let it be done to me as You say" (Lk 1:38).

Promise:  "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and shall name Him Immanuel." —Is 7:14

Praise:  Alleluia! God has become a human being! For love of us He has died on the cross and been risen from the dead!

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape on Jesus' Incarnation on audio AV 52-3 or video V-52.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 2, 2012

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