Today is the annunciation of our Lord
With Holy Week two weeks away, allow me to reflect on our Lenten Season as today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation. This Gospel is found in Luke 1:26-38. Although I only write my gospel column on Sundays, I make an exception today.
“26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
“29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
“34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [c]do not know a man?” 35 An d the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
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In “The Life of Mary: As Seen by the Mystics” by Raphael Brown, she appeared to St. Elizabeth of Schenau and told her, “Do you know why God did this? Because I had believed in Him and because I had humbled myself.” This is one book I always keep by my side. While it isn’t the Bible (which I also have near me) it is because the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to four mystics; St. Bridget of Sweden, Mother Mary of Agreda, Anna Catherine Emmerich, and St. Elizabeth of Schoenau. They lived in different times and places and the author pieced together what Mary told them.
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I learned that a good friend of mine, Alan Ortiz, 66, died last Monday in Paris due to complications from COVID-19. This was reported by his daughter, Monica. I met him many times when he headed the National Transmission Corp. and later he was with SMC Global Power Holdings and Philippine Council for Foreign Relations. Monica’s FB post read "Dr. Alan T. Ortiz - our dearest Alan, beloved father, Kuya to his family, and indulgent lolo - passed away in the early morning of March 23 due to complications from COVID-19."
Alan left Manila last March 3. He was in Paris for a security conference. Before Paris, he traveled to London in December. His last known contacts were identified and are "in good health." We really have no idea if Alan was infected by COVID-19 in London or Paris. When we meet, we will talk about a common love…motorcycles. May we request the pious reader to please pray for the repose of his soul.
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I got this announcement from Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin Aboitiz that the Aboitiz Group will provides a lifeline to its business units’ clients and customers to cope with the COVID-19 crisis as well as implement measures to ensure unimpeded delivery of service. This is a follow-through to its call for public-private collaboration as a key to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 by keeping the economy moving. He added “We in Aboitiz fully recognize the impact of the current situation on our clients and customers and we are doing our best to help them cope until things return to normal. We are with you as we beat the odds together during this challenging time.” Thanks to the effort by the Aboitiz Group.