Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
In today's readings we hear about the Lord's preparations and plans to bring Jesus into this world. As Mary's lineage is recounted we see how intentional God was in fulfilling His promises, especially this one, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel." Through the fulfillment of this promise, God became man, dwelt among us and lived with us. What a blessing that God loved us enough to do this for us.
Yet, when I read these readings I am left a little bit frustrated. I read a lot of predetermination and predestination in these readings, that God is orchestrating the world to work out just how He needs it to. And I know that this is not true because we have a God who loved us enough to give us free will.
And it's the free will that I need to remember - because in order for God's promises to be fulfilled - for the prophesy to be brought to life - for Jesus to be born - each person in that lineage had to make a choice, out of free will, to participate in bringing the glory of God to this earth. And that's what I hope to take away from this reading - not that God has a predetermined plan for each of us and He is pulling our puppet strings but rather that each day I can make a choice - I can choose to participate in bringing God's kingdom to this earth or in stopping it.
With Mary as my model, I pray that I am able to say yes to bringing God's kingdom to Earth, even when I don't understand it or may be scared of it. Amen.
- Amanda Grimm