ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD: PURPOSE OF HUMAN EXISTENCE MADE KNOWN
By Celes A. Gianan, DD, PhD
The Annunciation of the Lord powerfully echoes in a solemn fashion a resounding MESSAGE to the entire humanity as it did to Mary, our Blessed Mother. A strong MESSAGE that capitulates and captures the very PURPOSE of HUMAN EXISTENCE made known by God to Mary through the angel Gabriel which, I strongly believe, He wishes the same to be made known to the whole of humanity.
March 25 calendars this year 2020 the celebration of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, which day is too being covered by the outbreak and breakthrough of COVID 19 that badly is affecting HUMAN EXISTENCE in the global sphere.
What does this speak to us, human beings, as we face COVID 19 while we, in the world of Christianity, celebrate the spirit that the Annunciation of the Lord brings forth as scripted in Sacred Scriptures, Luke 1: 26-38?
Following the spirit that goes along with Luke 1: 26-38, the Annunciation of the Lord powerfully sends this message, namely:
God’s PURPOSE of our HUMAN EXISTENCE is to REJOICE with Him as we acknowledge we are highly favored by Him despite trials and tribulations. The sacred texts in James 1: 2-3 exhort us to consider trials and tribulations as HAPPY PRIVILEGE that makes our FAITH steadfast. The first word that Mary received from God through the angel Gabriel was REJOICE (Ref. Luke 1: 28). God was telling Mary the purpose of her EXISTENCE was TO REJOICE. Could this be too the PURPOSE of our HUMAN EXISTENCE, that is, TO EXIST is TO REJOICE? COVID 19 may have put us to trials and tribulations but should we allow it to blind us of God’s PURPOSE of our HUMAN EXISTENCE, which is, TO REJOICE?
To further the PURPOSE of HUMAN EXISTENCE, God, through the angel Gabriel, continued His message to Mary, saying, “Do not fear Mary … you shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus” (Ref. Luke 1: 30-31). Could this be God’s way of reminding us, human beings, that we are not to fear in pursuing the task of RE-BIRTHING our BELIEF in Christ Jesus in this world darkened by thoughts and ways that are no longer Godly? And, thus, furthering a truthful fact of HUMAN EXISTENCE, that is, TO EXIST is TO ENGAGE and get INVOLVED in RE-BIRTHING BELIEF IN GOD made manifest in this world.
To fulfil God’s PURPOSE OF HUMAN EXISTENCE, Mary has demonstrated a GREAT and FAITHFUL RESPONSE by saying, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said” (Luke 1: 38). Could this be Mary’s way of exemplifying to us, human beings, how we are to fulfil God’s PURPOSE of our HUMAN EXISTENCE, that is, TO EXIST is to say YOUR WILL BE DONE, LORD … NOT MY WILL?
The MESSAGE of the Annunciation of the Lord should be given RELEVANCE PAR EXCELLENCE as we explore, expose the INDISPENSABILITY of God’s Word and experience the HABITABILITY of the World of Creation where the FULFILMENT of the PURPOSE of our HUMAN EXISTENCE is made visible and tangible. God loves us all. – drceles
Celes A. Gianan, DD, PhD