Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
I’m not sure why it seems to catch me by surprise, celebrating the Annunciation in Lent rather than in Advent. But of course we know Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus had to be about nine months, so it makes sense that we celebrate it today. I have previously written about the annunciation during Advent since the Church does give us those readings in the liturgical cycle as well. But today, it appears differently to me. With the liturgical perspective of Lent, Mary’s “yes” to the angel's annunciation carries the weight of the cross, the cross that the infant being formed in her womb will one day carry and be hung on. Could Mary have guessed this?
Luke’s gospel passage (1:26-38) tells us that the angel greeted Mary and announced, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” Could she have guessed the suffering this “Son of the Most High” would endure, or the suffering she would endure as a mother does when her child, even an adult child, suffers and dies? Would her answer have been any different if she knew? I don’t think so.
Mary’s only question was, “How can this be…?” not “will there be suffering involved?” or “will it be very difficult for me?” I don’t think true love asks those questions; it only responds in kind with love.
Oh, to be as trusting and faithful and loving – to be as “full of Grace” as Mary.
As we continue on this Lenten journey toward Easter, let’s invoke the guidance and faithful love of the One who first bore the Light of the World, a light that overcame the darkness of sin and death. May She help us courageously declare our own “Yes!” to our Creator, relinquishing our doubts and fears to Mary, “for nothing will be impossible for God.” Amen.
~Eileen Miller