Undoing Eve’s damage; Angels: Day 170

The Annunciation, says St. Irenaeus, is more than good news. In her obedience to the word from a good angel, Mary undoes the effects of Eve’s disobedience at the persuasion of a wicked angel.

Eve was betrothed to a man, and was unhappily deceived.

The Virgin Mary was betrothed to a man as well. The truth happily declared to her by the angel shows that the Lord was coming to what belonged to him, and sustaining them by means of that creation which he himself supports. He was reenacting that disobedience that had happened in connection with a tree through the obedience he showed on the tree. And the effects of Eve’s deception were being done away with.

Just as Eve was led astray by an angel, so that she fled from God when she had disobeyed his word, so Mary heard from an angel the glad news that she would bear God in obedience to his word. Though Eve disobeyed God, Mary was persuaded to obey God, so that she might advocate for the virgin Eve.

Thus, just as the human race fell into bondage by means of a virgin, so it is rescued by a virgin. One virgin’s disobedience is balanced in the scale by the other virgin’s obedience. –St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 5.19.1

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Which of the two angels more often persuades me—Gabriel or Satan?

CLOSING PRAYER

God, you were pleased that your Word, when the angel delivered his message, should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Give ear to my humble petitions, and grant that I, who truly believe her to be Mother of God, may be helped by her prayers.

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