Pope Francis: The Annunciation revolutionizes history

A passage from Luke's Gospel (Lk 1:26-38) that is "difficult to preach", in which the "God of surprises" changes man's destiny. This is what Pope Francis underlined during Mass celebrated in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta.

“The passage from Luke’s Gospel that we have heard tells us the decisive moment in history, the most revolutionary. It is a turbulent situation, everything changes, history turns upside down. It is difficult to preach about this passage. And when at Christmas or on the day of the Annunciation we profess the faith to say this mystery we kneel down. It is the moment that everything changes, everything, from the root. Liturgically, today is the day of the root. The Antiphon that marks the meaning today is the root of Jesse, "from which a shoot will be born". God lowers himself, God enters history and does so in his original style: a surprise. The God of surprises surprises us (again).”

During his homily, the Pope re-reads Thursday’s Gospel so that the assembly can reflect on the significance of the Annunciation.

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. Nothing is impossible for God!” Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.