Hope40 - DAY 18 - Solemnity of the Annunciation

The Annunciation - Mosaic Tile - Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception - Rosary Walk and Garden

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Hope in Action

Did you know that the Solemnity of the Annunciation is actually a feast of great hope? Hope that quietly entered the world through the humble yet bold "yes" of a young woman in Nazareth.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, she was given a choice: to embrace God’s will or to turn away in fear and doubt. Her response, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), was not passive resignation, but an active, trusting surrender to the unknown.

Mary’s fiat was not just a one-time declaration; it was a commitment to a life of faithfulness, a daily choosing of God’s will even when she did not fully understand the path ahead. This is what hope in action looks like...not waiting for certainty, but stepping forward in trust.

Living Your Fiat Every Day

You may not be visited by an angel with an earth-shattering announcement, but God invites you daily to say yes to Him in the small, hidden moments of life. When you embrace these opportunities with trust, your small fiats become part of something greater than you can imagine.

Here are some ways you can give your fiat in everyday life:

Say Yes to Interruptions - Instead of resisting moments that disrupt your plans, you can welcome them as opportunities to serve, just as Mary’s life was interrupted by God’s call. Whether it’s a child needing attention, a friend who calls unexpectedly, or a stranger at the grocery store who needs kindness, your yes in these moments reflects Mary’s openness.
Say Yes to Sacrificial Love - Love often requires you to lay down your preferences, whether it’s letting your spouse choose the movie, making time for a friend even when you are tired, or offering patience when you are at the end of your rope. Each act of love is a fiat to God’s will.
Say Yes to the Mundane - Washing dishes, folding laundry, answering emails...these "chores" may feel insignificant, but when done with love and a heart turned toward God, they become sanctified and holy moments. Mary embraced the ordinary, and through it, God’s extraordinary plan unfolded.
Say Yes to Trusting God in Uncertainty - Mary did not have all the answers when she said yes, and neither do you. But you can practice surrender by trusting that God is working through the unknowns of your life, even when you have no idea what the outcome will be.
Say Yes to Prayer Before Action - Before Mary acted, she pondered and surrendered to God. You, too, can cultivate a habit of pausing for a moment of prayer before responding to challenges, making decisions, or starting your day.

A Feast of Joy and Celebration

Since today is a solemnity, we do not fast, and are free from our usual Lenten sacrifices. Just as Mary’s yes brought forth the Incarnation - the greatest gift to humanity - today is a day to rejoice, feast, and embrace the joy of God's promises. Feasting is not indulgence for its own sake; it is an act of celebration and gratitude, for God’s plan is always one of abundance and life. Whether you choose a special meal, a treat shared with loved ones, or simply taking time to rest and rejoice, let today be a reminder that hope is meant to be lived with joy.

Let Us Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

Like Mary, I want to say yes to You, not just in the big moments of life, but in the small, hidden ways You call me daily. Give me the grace to embrace interruptions, to serve with love, to find holiness in the ordinary, and to trust You even when I do not see the next step. On this Solemnity of the Annunciation, let my heart be filled with joy and confidence in Your promises. May my life, like Mary’s, be a reflection of Your goodness and a vessel of Your love. Amen

today's recipe From Catholic Culture: Occasionally this feast day occurs during the Lenten season. When it does we might recall that some beautiful words from the Epistle of the Mass on Assumption Day, another feast day dedicated to Mary, call her "exalted like a cedar in Libanus, a cypress tree on Mt. Sion, a palm in Cades, a rose plant in Jericho; a fair olive tree by the water, a sweet smell like cinnamon and aromatic balm, a sweet odor like the best myrrh." What, then, could be more appropriate than spicy cookies, wafting their fragrance through the house as they bake?

With that in mind, here is the recipe for St. Hildegard's recipe "Cookies of Joy"

Makes up to 12 dozen cookies!!!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups butter
3 cups Rapadura/coconut sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
6 cups spelt flour
2 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
2 1/4 teaspoons nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cream butter and sugar with electric mixer (Hildegard likely did this by hand!)
Add eggs and mix until combined
Combine dry ingredients and add to butter mixture. (optional - refrigerate for an hour)
Place a tablespoon scoop on stoneware pr parchment lined cookie sheet.
Press flat with the bottom of a bowl or glass.
Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.
Cool for a few minutes and place on cooling racks.
Hide them and use only as directly, 3-5 a day!
READ THIS CUTE BLOG POST FROM THE PAMPERED NUTRITIONIST (where this recipe came from)