In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

Do I think Mary, just before the Annunciation, had a sense that she was specially blessed by God?

The Church teaches that Mary was free from sin from the very moment of her conception, that she was “full of grace” and that she was perfectly sinless throughout her life.

I wonder if Mary knew this or had a sense of this?

There are legends about Mary that would have me believe that she must have known.

And what about me? Do I have a sense that God has been specially at work within me, blessing me with special gifts from my early years?

After all, I was baptized and confirmed. God cleansed me of sin, poured the Holy Spirit into my inmost soul. Jesus called me by name to be his disciple. I have received Jesus himself time and time again in the Eucharist. I have joined with him in going to the Father and giving myself completely to God.

Those are very unusual, special works of God in me. I have been specially blessed by God, but perhaps I have a hard time believing it.

I need to believe it…and live it. Today.