The Annunciation

	Let Him Kiss Me When they considered these words from the Song of Songs that the Bride addresses to her Spouse, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth,” (Sg 1:1) the Fathers said that this kiss she so ardently desires is none other than the carrying out of the mystery of the Incarnation of Our Lord. She is referring to the long-awaited kiss expected for so many years by all the souls who deserve to be called his lovers. But in the end, the kiss that had been denied and delayed for so long was granted to the sacred Lover, Our Lady, who deserves to be called the Spouse and Lover by excellence, above all others. It was given to her by her heavenly Spouse at the Annunciation, which we celebrate today, at the same moment that she let out a most loving sigh: “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!” At that moment the divine union of the Eternal Word of God with human nature, represented by this kiss, took place in the glorious Virgin’s blessed womb. I beg you to consider the tenderness of this divine Lover’s love: “Let him kiss me,” meaning: “Let this Word who is the Word of the Father coming out of his mouth, unite himself to me through the work of the Holy Spirit, who is the Eternal Sigh of the Father's love for his Son and also of the Son for his Father.” But when was this divine kiss given to the incomparable Spouse? At the same instant that she gave the long-awaited answer to the Angel: “Let it be done as you say.” O assent worthy of mankind's greatest rejoicing since it is their eternal happiness! Saint Francis De Sales Sermon of March 25th, 1621, on the Feast of the Annunciation