Vigils Reading – Memorial B.V.M.

When Gabriel Appeared to Mary,

from the Hymns on the Nativity,  by St. Ephrem the Syrian.^[1]

What indeed was the pure woman doing at the moment

when Gabriel was sent down to her?

She saw him perhaps at the moment of prayer,

for Daniel was also at prayer when he saw Gabriel,

for prayer is next of kin to good tidings.

It is right that they should delight one another

as Mary did Elizabeth, her next of kin.

The dove bore good tidings for prayer.

By Abraham’s prayer good tidings proliferated.

Hezekiah’s prayer hastened and proclaimed

good tidings to him.

The centurion’s good tidings caused his prayers

to be joyful.

and on the roof terrace Simon was made joyful,

And Zechariah at the reward of his incense;

his good tidings came because of his incense.

All good tidings came to the harbor of petition;

this greatest of all good tidings,

the cause of all rejoicing,

found Mary at prayer and eagerly desired her.

For Gabriel, inhabiting an honorable old man,

entered and greeted her so that she would not tremble,

so that the modest girl would not see

a youthful face and be sad.

To two pure old men and to a virgin girl,

to them alone Gabriel was sent with good tidings.

In the will their natures are similar

and resemble one another.   – over –

The virgin and the barren woman and Daniel the faithful:

One brought forth the revelation of the word,

and the other a voice for the wilderness,

and the virgin the Word of the Most High.

Lest He bewilder the onlookers by His greatness,

He drew Himself up from all the land of the Hebrews

and from all Judah and all Bethlehem

until He filled a small womb,

and as if he were a seed in our garden

or a small flash of light for our pupil,

He shone forth and diffused and filled the earth.

     ^[1]Ephrem the Syrian, Paulist Press CWS, l989. “Hymns on the Nativity, Hymn 2” p.79-81