Antiphona 4

Luke 1:30-31 records Gabriel's reassurance to troubled Mary. 'Ne timeas' (Fear not) is the standard angelic greeting to mortals overwhelmed by divine presence. 'Invenisti gratiam apud Dominum' (thou hast found grace with the Lord) recalls Genesis 6:8 where Noah 'found grace' - Mary is the new ark of salvation. The announcement 'concipies et paries Filium' (thou shalt conceive and bring forth a Son) echoes Isaiah 7:14's prophecy of the virgin birth. At Lauds, this antiphon presents the Annunciation as the moment human history pivoted from fear to grace, from waiting to fulfillment.