Mary's YES.

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, normally celebrated on March 25th has been transferred to today, as the 25th fell on Good Friday this year. Because of the transfer, we might tend to forget it...just another Monday...BUT we can't neglect this solemnity and call ourselves Marist, or Christian, for this is the day when "it all began."  Mary's YES opened the door to the Incarnation, God becoming man, and Mary's "marriage" to the Holy Spirit, for it was by the Holy Spirit that she conceived the Son of God.  Without her consent, there would have been no God-man, Jesus, no Christian faith, no Little Brothers of Mary, no Marist network of schools educating 60,000 students in 80 countries. Her YES is the basis of our Marist spirituality; throughout our lives we repeat our Yes in imitation of Mary, as invitation after invitation, even in the most simple and routine events of the day, come our way, not delivered by Gabriel but by LIFE. Let us ask Mary for the grace we need to respond with her generosity, faith and trust, not holding back in fear, or without full understanding.  Let us pray the Hail, Mary and  the Angelus, often and reverently today, paying closer attention than usual, and making them the cornerstone of our relationship with God.
Bro. Rene