annunciation presentation.pptx [read-only] presentation_17-12-14.pdf · microsoft powerpoint -...
TRANSCRIPT
The Annunciation
Monastery of San Marco, Florence. painted by Fra Angelico around 1430
A moment of encounter…
…as if time has stood still
In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God…
Gaze at the figure who could almost just have landed…
An archangel…
A messenger from God…
Bringing news that would change the world –but intensely still…focused…preparing his greeting…
Mary is simply dressed – an ordinary woman
Not yet aware of her destiny –
not yet the mother of Jesus
not yet the Mother of God
not yet the Mother of the Church
Mary and Gabriel share a physical space – but to our eyes seem separated by a pillar
What might this be telling us?
Though separated by the pillar, Mary and Gabriel mirror each other’s gestures…
When does this happen in everyday life?And what does it suggest is happening between the two people?
Mary and Gabriel gaze into each other’s eyes
When does this happen in everyday life?And what does it suggest is happening between the two people?
Greetings, highly favoured one!
How is Gabriel showinghis respect for Mary?
And helping to ease her fear?
The Lord is with you
And Gabriel says…
Mary was much perplexed by Gabriel’s greetingand wondered what it could mean…
Fra Angelico’s Mary is not showing
outward signs of fear or perplexity…
She is puzzled but is rapt –
attentive –
wondering –
waiting for more words from God…
What might Mary be teaching us about
the importance of wondering and
waiting?
And now you will conceive
in your womb and bear a son,
and you will name him Jesus.’
But how can this come about
since I am a virgin?
Mary’s question is not of doubt –
but a simple “How?”
She is leaning forward –
waiting to hear more
to help her to make a decision…
What does Mary’s attitude teach us about
how to listen to the Word of God?
And a moment of stillness as Gabriel explains the role of the Holy Spirit…
…and time stands still in silent rapture
Let what you have said be done to me…
And far beneath the movement of this silent cataclysm
Mary slept in the infinite tranquillity of God,
and God was a child curled up who slept in her
and her veins were flooded with His wisdom
which is night,
which is starlight,
which is silence.
And her whole being was embraced in Him
whom she embraced
and they became tremendous silence.(Thomas Merton)
Mary’s role was unique in bearing Jesus as her son –but we are also called to bear Christ into the world…
How can we bring Jesus to birth in our lives?In our relationships?In our communities?
In what ways do I personally make Christ known in the world today?
Hail Mary, full of graceThe Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst womenand blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.Amen