Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-72) - Hail, full of grace!

Dearest Goddaughter,

Today is the feast of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The feast is actually on March 25th but was transferred this year to April 8th because of Holy Week and the Octave of Easter.

I had the blessed opportunity to serve at Mass this morning with Fr. Doug Jeffers at Saint Mary Cathedral. As I reflected in this Marian feast day, two thoughts came to mind.

1. Mary is always pointing us to her Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even her feast day is second to her Son's Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

2. I am grateful for my mom and mother-in-law, for their own #fiat to be mothers to their children and always being present to their children and grandchildren.

This past weekend, not only did I get to celebrate 5 years as a deacon with my brother deacons and their wives, but Theresa and I got to spend some quality time with our parents. As an adult, I cherish these moments shared with our parents.

Hai con thương ba và mẹ & ba và má rất nhiều!

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: Is 7:10-14; 8:10, Heb 10:4-10 and Lk 1:26-38 (below).

. . .

The angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the house of David,

and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

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,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,

“How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?”

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.

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;

for nothing will be impossible for God.”

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.