# The Annunciation 1 > *But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”* > —[Luke 1:34](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Luke%201%3A34&version=NABRE) --- # Study Notes Luke 1:38 let it be to me: Mary freely and actively embraces God's invitation to bear the Messiah. The Greek expression denotes more than mere passive acceptance, indicating that she wishes or desires to fulfill God's will in her life. Unlike Zechariah, she welcomes the angel's words uninhibited by doubt (CCC 148, 494, 2617) Source: [Ignatius Catholic Study Bible] [[20250428-marys-words|Next]] →