Dear Gabriel,

It is always worth looking for little bonuses. The road on the way to Mass was icy and I fell on my wrist. We never made it, but listening later on the radio, I heard a brief mention of the Magnificat and what it means in Latin and English.

My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid;
for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because he that is mighty,
hath done great things to me;
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is from generation unto generations,
to them that fear him.
He hath shewed might in his arm:
he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel his servant,
being mindful of his mercy:
As he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

It seems to me that this simple prayer, the words spoken by Mary to the Archangel Gabriel are enough in themselves for contemplation and a glimpse into the truth of the human condition.

Yours,
Thomas