I began tonight by rereading the priest’s suggestions on how to approach the Gospels. As he suggested, I read the account of the Annunciation, then, and just let God tell me the story. I tried to put aside any pre-conceptions I might have and be a child hearing it for the first time. I visualized it, and got caught up in it. It’s a marvelous story—a peasant girl, a very loving one, good and sweet, visited by a powerful being, the representative of the Supreme Being. It was like a duke visiting her on behalf of the king, but much, much more. And her just a peasant girl! But that wasn’t all. God was going to be the father of her child! Unbelievable! And her cousin Elizabeth, an old woman, was going to have a child, too. That in itself was almost too much to believe. But it’s all true!

I savored the whole of it a while then moved on to the next stage—language. It became an exploration into the depths of meaning and connotations of the words. Ideas came rapidly, so I jotted down notes. That didn’t seem to interrupt the flow. (1)

In the sixth month: if reckoned back from Christmas this was springtime—time of new beginnings—prefigure of Easter.

Gabriel: powerful angel in Daniel—he and Michael battled Satan—no small honor being visited by him!

Sent from God: when the President sends an ambassador, he carries the President’s authority—he has his proxy—it’s “act in my stead” not just “take a message.”

Galilee: a rough, rugged people—simple, nothing fancy, peasants.

Nazareth: in general, narrow-minded people, misdirected, but very pious in their way.

Virgin: a young girl, a good girl.

Betrothed: lasted a year—they were perhaps kinsmen—may have known each other all their lives, or Joseph might have been a relatively recent immigrant from Bethlehem in search of a village in need of a carpenter—Joseph would have been a “good catch,” had a needed skill.

Joseph, of the House of David: a paradox—descended from kings, but a carpenter—kings wield authority—what more authority could Joseph have than over the Son of God!

Name: in ancient times more than just a means of identity—believed bound up in the essence of the one named—note name changes of Abram and others.

Mary: means bitter—prophetic of her bitter trials ahead.

Upon arriving: Gabriel was there in a physical sense—no illusion projected—he was there.

Rejoice: be happy, celebrate—this is a marvelously joyful occasion.

Highly favored: two senses—received great favors (which she did)—chosen as a special favorite (which she was, too).

Daughter: address of an older person for a younger held in fondness—Mary, God’s daughter by creation—first adopted daughter by personal covenant of the New Testament—Gabriel speaking for God.

Lord: God—Yahweh.

I’ll return to this tomorrow.

(1) Spiritual director: Father Peters would have appreciated what you did here by listening to each word, savoring and cherishing it, and attempting to understand deeply.