# Novena Day 2: The Annunciation
*2008-11-30*

> Bill Young reflects on the mystery of the Annunciation, reads the Gospel of Luke, prays the Hail Mary, and offers a meditation on saying “yes” to God.

## Opening Prayer

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Let us begin in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. I profess the Apostles’ Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth… I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

## The Gospel of Luke – The Annunciation

Today is Day 2 of the novena, focusing on Mary in the mystery of the Annunciation. From the Gospel according to Luke: In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel said to her, “Rejoice, you who are favored by God! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled and wondered what this could mean. The angel reassured her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his reign will have no end.”

Mary asked, “How can this be, since I have no husband?” The angel answered, “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 holy, the Son of God. Also, your relative Elizabeth, though old, has conceived a son, and she is now in her sixth month. Nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary responded, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed.

## Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

## Meditation

Mary served God perfectly in her everyday life, offering herself to His will even in the most ordinary circumstances. She was ready to accept the unexpected—an angel’s message, the Incarnation—by saying “yes” unconditionally. Through God’s grace, the Word became flesh in her. While Mary’s role is unique, each of us is invited to say “yes” to God and share in His plan of salvation.

## Prayer of Thanksgiving

Let us pray a moment of silent reflection. Grant that I may praise you, O immaculate Virgin, for bearing the Only‑Begotten Son in your pure womb. I adore you, O Son of God, for entering her womb and truly becoming her Son. I adore you, O Holy Spirit, for forming the body of the Son of God in her immaculate womb. I adore you, most holy Trinity, one God in three Persons, for dignifying the Immaculate Virgin in such a divine way. Amen.

*Mary’s “yes” invites each of us to cooperate with God’s grace in our own lives.*