Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
As a hospital chaplain, the opportunities for ministry abound. What surprises me is that, while I know I am there as the minister, many times I feel the one ministered too. One of the ways this happens is by the steadfast faith of the people with whom I interact. Recently, a patient had just found out they had pancreatic cancer. It was suggested that with treatment she could extend her life likely by a few months. As she shared her faith journey it became clear to her that she did not want to get treatment. Her decision left me awestruck at the profound trust she had in God. From her deep faith, this woman made it clear, “God’s will be done.” This patient’s prayer came to mind immediately as I reflected on the readings today.
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah tells the House of David that the Lord will give you a sign. A virgin will conceive and bear a son. This son shall be named “Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us!’ ” (Is 8:10) And so as the prophet foretold, how a virgin named Mary, was overshadowed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and conceived a son. This son was God incarnate, Jesus. Mary was betrothed to Joseph who was from the house of David.
As Paul teaches in the letter to the Hebrews, the sacrifice of animals does not take away sins. Paul is trying to make clear to this community that God does not want offerings to make up for our sins. God wants us to do God’s will.
The gospel of Luke describes Mary as being visited by the angel Gabriel. His greeting, now a prayer we are familiar with was “Hail, full of Grace! The Lord is with you.” This troubled Mary greatly. Gabriel sensed her fear and calmed her. He explained to Mary that she was to bring a child into the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary’s response is one of the most compelling responses to God in all of Scripture. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary’s ‘Fiat’ was an unconditional acceptance of the Lord’s will for her.
Consider the spiritual journey that the Lord has been inviting us to undertake? How are we being called to die to self and our own will? In dying to self, we are able to give our life completely to God’s will and rise to new life in Christ. As we reflect upon the way God is calling, let us pray for the strength to say yes to the Lord’s plan for us.
"Lord, in our daily struggles, please help us to be like Mary and say yes, “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will." "Amen."
-Michael Montgomery