Visio divina with the Annunciation

Visio divina with the Annunciation! Just over a week ago I wrote a reflection on the Gospel of Luke 1:26-38, so today I’d like to approach the same Gospel by doing visio divina with the painting above.

luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

be not afraid

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

no doubt

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

I’ve written about visio before. Click here to read more about it. I’m wondering if anyone would be willing to take some time to pray with this image and share thoughts in the comments. I will share my thoughts a bit later to give others the opportunity to share beforehand.

Thank you in advance and God bless you!

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the fate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.