In recent decades, science has unveiled an amazing finding: Fetal cells and DNA from a growing baby can be found in a mother’s body not only during but well after the pregnancy. In the language of science, we see here the profound intimacy present between two persons, mother and child, in the context of pregnancy.

In today’s collect for the Annunciation, theology gives this closeness another language: grant, we pray, that we, who confess our Redeemer to be God and man, may merit to become partakers even in his divine nature. While prayers like the Litany of Loreto hold many beautiful titles for the Blessed Mother, including Vessel, Ark, House, and Tower, the closeness to the Lord she experienced during her pregnancy was even more intimate. It was a closeness that infused her. She was indeed full of grace, and that grace worked upon her. In God’s mysterious wisdom, we might say it became part of her DNA.

We are called into that closeness and to be partakers in nature with Christ. In a sacramental way, we too are invited to receive him, and to have his grace and life infuse us from the inside out.

May it be done according to your Word.