What a letdown when people break their promises! A father tells his ten-year-old son, “I know I promised to be at your soccer game, but something has come up.” Maybe we have
been a victim of a broken promise like this, or perhaps we’ve been the one who’s broken a promise. In today’s Gospel, however, we see a promise kept. The angel Gabriel
announces to Mary that she will conceive and bear a Son. This pledge to Mary is part of the ongoing fulfillment of God’s promises. When we see this promise kept in the coming of Jesus, we have the assurance that we can always trust God that He acts according to His Word. Our heavenly Father never breaks His promises!