The Blessed Virgin was chosen from eternity, had consecrated her virginity to God. As prefigured in the Book of Proverbs "Ages ago I was set up, at the first before the beginning of the earth". Prov. 8:23-31

The virgin hearing of her vocation, gives her full consent to the divine will "Be it done unto me according to your word". Luke 1:38

She accepts her vocation - to be the Mother of God and the MOther of men - and she was adorned will all the graces which made her worthy for the Most High.

Our vocation should parallel hers and is the central theme of our lives: What God asks of us!

Our Lord calls every one of us by our own name, to a holy vocation. He alone possesses "If any would come after me..." Matt. 16:24

Through baptism we all received a vocation to seek GOD in the fullness of love.

GOD loves all men and he wants all men to love him - everyone whatever his personal situation, his social position, his work.

All the ways of the earth can be an opportunity to meet Christ. "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few". Matt. 9:37

Proclaiming herself "The handmaid of hte lord". Mary accepts his plan without any reservation.

We also, in imitation to Our Lady, do not want to have any other will other than God's.

In our vocation to sanctify, we want to accept God's will - in the ordinary little things of every day, the mundane details of our work, our family life and our social relations.

To be holy isn't easy, but it isn't difficult either. To be holy is to be a good Christian, to resemble Christ. [Eph. 1:4]

God is not taking you away from the world, or from your noble human ambitions, or from your professional work... But He wants you to be a saint - right there!

Following God's wishes we are to be salt and light while in this world. Light illumines the hearts and minds. Salt gives flavor and preserves from corruption. That is why if we are not faithful to our vocation, we would let other people down and our life will be absurd. [Matt. 5:13-16].

Let our answer be "Lord I answer, with all my heart, with all my senses and faculties, here I am because you have called me" May this answer be a daily reality. [1 Sam 3:6,9; Lk 12:49]

Through communion we give consent to God's will for us: To love him and our neighbours.

"Hail Mary, full of grace. Our Lord is with you."

PRAYER

O Lord God, how happy is this day, for the Church rejoices as she hears with Mary the announcement of the birth of your only-begotten anointed one. On this day, let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad. Let the mountains and hills jump for joy and let the waves escape their shores. Today, the Creator of the ends of the earth returns to make of the land a palace, and of hte seas a kingdom. How happy is this day for ever. Amen.

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

Lord, I know you love me and have great plans for me. But sometimes, I am overwhelmed by the thought of my future. It's scary, Lord! Show me how to walk forward one day at a time.

May I take heart while I search openly, learn about all the choices, listen to others for advice, and pay attention to my own feelings.

By doing these things may I hear your call to a lifestyle and a career that will let me love as only I can, and let me serve others with the special gifts that you have given me.

Lord, thank you for your hope in me. Amen.