Learn more about this novena here: The Annunciation Novena.
Day 9 Reflection: Theotokos
From Praying the Angelus (pp. 90-91).
God has a mother. Let that sink in for a moment.
He has a human mother. It is a powerful concept. The very idea threw the Church into a heated debate that led many to break into their own factions outside of the Church in the fifth century. To believe as we do that the holy, infinite, and all-powerful God would humble himself to be born as a son of a human being is nearly unbelievable. Yet that is exactly what God did. He chose a human mother here on earth to give birth to him.
Consider that audacious Greek name for Mary, Theotokos, Mother of God or more literally, “God bearer.” We ask her to pray for us, that we may be made worthy of her son’s promises. Thanks be to God that he made this worthiness possible: our God became man so that man could become like God. Through his humility, our unworthiness can be transformed into greatness. Our God was so humble that he took a human mother.
Think about your own mother for a moment. Whether you are close with her or not, mothers are an integral part of all our lives; we all feel—or at least we long to feel—great affection for mothers. Our God looked upon Mary with this same affection on earth and still does in heaven. This is why we seek her intercession.
In your prayers today, turn to Mary to intercede on your behalf. Ask for the strength to live out the humility of Christ and be made worthy of the promises he makes to us.
The Annunciation Novena
O most holy Virgin Mary,
to whom God sent the Angel Gabriel
to announce that you should be the mother of his only-begotten Son,
pray for us who have recourse to you.
Holy, lovely Mary,
We give our all to you
What is past and present,
And the future, too.
Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.
(State your intention here . . .)
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And 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
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done to me according to thy word.
Hail Mary. . .
V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary. . .
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
