Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
I have a good friend who is currently serving as a missionary pilot in Africa. His dedication to service, his living witness to the Gospel, his self-giving temperament, and the focus he has placed on God's will in his life has stretched me, challenged me, and taught me a great deal about what it means to be a Catholic and how to better live out my discipleship of Christ. In particular, one of the things that he has taught me is to "behold" Jesus. Now, when I read or hear the word "behold", it begs me to pause, to reflect, to listen, to watch carefully with anticipation, and to become aware. That simplistic and humble word, "behold", is a word which is found often in scripture. At every Mass, as the consecrated host is elevated, we hear the words of John the Baptist: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) In the context of our Christian experience, to "behold" is to observe and to recognize the presence and acting of God in our very midst. Today, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, as I reflected on today's readings, I asked myself to describe the discipleship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I found my answer in one word: behold.
Throughout today's readings we read the word "behold" six times- once in today's psalm, twice in the second reading, and three times in the Gospel. In today's Gospel from Luke, the word "behold" precedes two dramatic announcements. First, the angel Gabriel announces the virgin birth of Jesus, exclaiming, "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus." Secondly, Gabriel reports the conception of John the Baptist, saying, "And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age." Mary shows herself to be thoughtful and reflective during her encounter with the angel, even pondering the greeting given to her, much like she reflected on the words of the shepherds after the birth of Jesus. (Luke 2:19) Although she inquires into the circumstances of Jesus' birth, she never questions the presence of God in her midst. Gabriel tells her, "The Lord is with you." This remains to be a defining characteristic of Mary throughout her life. She beholds Jesus in her womb. She beholds Jesus in the manger. She beholds Jesus on the cross. She beholds the empty tomb. And she beholds the power of the Holy Spirit in the upper room at Pentecost.
When we "behold" the presence and acting of God in our lives, it changes us and challenges us to respond. Therefore, to "behold" is more than simply an internal attitude or disposition. When we "behold" Jesus, it demands an external response and calls us to bear living witness to what we have seen and heard. When the disciples heard the words, "Behold, the Lamb of God" spoken by John the Baptist, they responded by following Jesus. When we here those same words at Mass, we respond by saying, "Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." Mary's response to the presence of God in her life was one of complete surrender. In today's Gospel, she says, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord." In this way, Mary imitates Jesus, who says in today's second reading from Hebrews: "As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God." Therefore, Mary not only observes the presence of God, but becomes the presence of God as a disciple. As disciples ourselves, we are called to this same radical act of surrender to the will of God in our lives.
As Catholics, we take to heart and personalize the words of Jesus on the cross when He says, referring to Mary, "Behold, your mother." (John 19:27). Because of her life, her witness, and her "yes" to Jesus, when we behold Mary, we behold her Son. Today, may we behold Jesus as Mary did, particularly in the lives of the poor. And, through the example of Mary's discipleship, may others behold Jesus in us through lives of service, humility, and steadfast charity. Amen.
Ryan J. Mahle