Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
I will admit that I feel intimidated writing the reflection for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. This has been a highly significant feast day for me personally, for many years. I experienced a “divine interruption,” a startling, supernatural work of God in my life on this date, March 25, 2011. This act of God took place prior to my conversion to Catholicism, certainly before my awareness or knowledge of feast days, and definitely without my conscious awareness at the time that God was up to something. It was only through spiritual hindsight that I came to recognize the marvelous and extravagant gift that God imparted to me that day. I also came to understand that Christ’s activity in my life was influenced by His Mother, my Mother’s intercession. I am in awe once again, as I type these words, lost in wonderment, overcome by gratitude, marveling at our Blessed Mother’s constant care and intercession. Her continual, uninterrupted ministry is to bring us closer to her son, our Lord Jesus Christ. How can I offer a reflection that even begins to honor our Blessed Mother and her love for each of us? I feel intimidated. From that space, I offer a simple prayer: Lend me your heart, dear Mother.
I adopted this prayer from Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta a couple years ago while making my consecration to Jesus through Mary. Our Blessed Mother Mary is our model for discipleship. Mary brought Jesus into the world and perfectly loved and followed Him; her obedience flowed from a pure heart totally surrendered to the will of God. I come to her often, asking her to lend me her heart. My heart is prone to wander; her heart is forever faithful. O, lend me your heart, dear Mother . . .
As I reflect on today’s scripture readings, I find myself intimidated once again. Awe and reverence invite intellectual pondering to take a seat. Wonder and gratitude ask reflection to move from head to heart. As I approach today’s readings, I do so in the posture of Lectio Divina. I invite you to do the same. Read the texts slowly, allowing the Holy Spirit to highlight particular words or phrases that God wants to impart personally to you today. Invite God to speak to your heart as you set aside any preconceived notions or expectations. Maybe you’ll want to jot down the key words or phrases that come to you and then form them into a prayer. Here are the phrases that jumped out at me today from all the readings:
God is with us
Ears open to obedience you gave me
To do your will, O my God, is my delight
Your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of
Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will
By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all
The Word of God became flesh and made his dwelling among us; and we saw his glory
The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you
Nothing will be impossible for God
May it be done to me according to your word
Distilling that list to one phrase, I’m feeling particularly drawn to this one: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Blessed Mother, lend me your heart so that I can more radically open myself up to the possibility of being overshadowed by the power of God. Blessed Mother, please lend your heart to each person reading this reflection today. May they also be overshadowed by the power of the Most High so that they might come to more faithfully, courageously, and obediently follow God’s will in their lives. May they be radically moved in their hearts by one or more words or phrases from today’s readings. May we all unite more compassionately as the Body of Christ. Through Christ, our Love, Amen!
- Elizabeth Wourms