Today offers itself as a fitting occasion to begin a new blog, and I would like to begin with the homily (i.e. a very short sermon) which I preached this morning for the Feast of the Annunciation.
The work is not original, but an adaptation of J. Neville Ward’s writing on the Mystery of the Annunciation (the angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, as described in Luke 1:26-38) from his book on the rosary, Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy. The Mystery of the Annunciation, for those not in the know, refers to the angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, as described in Luke 1:26-38, and I love the way Ward points to the Annunciation as a continuing opportunity in our own lives, redefining it as an everyday invitation from the Divine to participate in His life, in Her love.
Joseph Neville Ward (1915-1992), incidentally, was a beloved Methodist minister and writer who brought fresh energy to Christian spirituality. Ordained in 1938, he served as a minister and educator, blending tradition with creativity—especially in prayer and meditation. His books encouraged Methodists to explore deeper faith, and his advocacy for the rosary bridged Anglican and Catholic practices, making spirituality more accessible and vibrant for everyday believers. I’m also proud to note that he and I share the same birthday!
Anyway, as promised, here’s the homily:
Today, we celebrate Mary’s “yes” to God—a moment when heaven touched earth, when the eternal Word took flesh in time. But the Annunciation is not just about Mary. It’s about how God speaks to each of us, in every moment, inviting us to participate in his love and purpose.
St. John tells us that “without him was not anything made that was made.” Everything that exists is an expression of God’s love, a word spoken from his mouth. If that’s true, then every experience—whether joyful, mundane, or even painful—is an annunciation, a message from God. Like Mary, we are called to listen, to trust, and to say, “Be it unto me according to thy word.”
This is not always easy. Life can feel overwhelming, and it’s tempting to withdraw, to defend ourselves from vulnerability or change. But Jesus reminds us that God comes to us in the ordinary and the unexpected. He asks us to remain open, to let go of our defenses, and to embrace life with trust. When we do, we discover that even the hardest moments can become occasions for grace, for growth, and for the revelation of God’s presence.
The Christian life is a lifelong practice of learning to hear God’s voice in the “now.” It’s about training our hearts to recognize his love in the details of our days, to respond with courage and hope. As we reflect on Mary’s faithfulness, let’s ask ourselves: Where is God speaking to me today? What is he inviting me to receive, to do, or to endure?
Mary’s “yes” changed the world. Our small “yeses”—our acts of trust, our willingness to listen—can do the same. May we, like her, find the grace to say “yes” to God’s love, and to live with the confidence that “the Lord is with thee.”