Dear Academy families and friends,
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation. On this day we recognize the Blessed Mother’s ‘yes.’ Visited by the archangel Gabriel, Mary is invited by God to become the mother of his only Son Jesus. The Word made flesh. The moment, through which, each of us became one with God, united in our humanity.
I love this image of the Annunciation as it so closely reflects our own Mater Admirabilis. Mater, as many of you know, is present in each Sacred Heart School, depicts for our students an image of Mary at an age not so far from their own. It is Mary, as I often share, before ‘the big yes.’ Mary before Gabriel’s announcement of God’s special plans for her.
The image shows Mary taken aback by the heavenly presence, humbled. God awaits Mary’s consent and the answer comes “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
God, as with Mary, gives each autonomy, free will. It is through our ‘Yes’ moments that God works through each of us. In these final days of Lent, let us each be conscious of our choices. May we each say ‘yes’ to the invitations given to us by God each day. Let us say ‘yes’ to being the heart of Jesus in this world. Just as there is much need, there is much that each of us can do if we open ourselves to His will.
United in our mission,
Dr. Susan Dempf
