Scripture Notes: Rejoice! (Luke 1)

The first word the angel Gabriel says to Mary at the Annunciation is, in Greek, chaire. It was a standard form of greeting, which is why it is usually translated as “hail,” as we say so often in the Hail Mary. But at its heart, the word means something so much more. It is an imperative verb, a command, that tells Mary, “Rejoice!” 

So Gabriel invites Mary to rejoice. Why? She is full of grace, kecharitomene, perfectly graced. What is more, she is invited to become the mother of the One Whom Israel has been awaiting for centuries, the Messiah, the new Davidic King, the fulfillment of all God’s promises to His people. This is reason for joy indeed.

But we all have reasons to rejoice. Sometimes it is hard to see them, especially when troubles and anxieties threaten to swarm us under. Yet God offers us the same invitation/command that Gabriel spoke to Mary: chaire. Rejoice! So our job is to discover the reasons for joy in our lives and then obey God and rejoice.