Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Today, our usual Lenten observance is interrupted with the wonderful feast-day of the Annunciation. The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary with surprising news that she is going to bear Jesus, the Son of God and gift to the world. The conversation between Mary and the angel is instructive for our relationship with God.
1) It is OK to question God and to take time to dialogue. Mary doesn’t immediately say “yes, whatever you want”. The first response is her surprise, and shock and a bit of fear. She questions the angel, saying – “How can this be?”, well aware she has not had sexual relations with Joseph. The angel then gives her a few more detail and shares about Elizabeth. It’s okay to question and have a natural conversation with God. And God often will give us a ‘confirmation’ from someone else in the community, as cousin Elizabeth pregnant with John the Baptist will be to Mary.
Ponder and dialogue with God?: What questions do you have about your life and journey with God? What are you seeking to know?
2) Fear in following God’s call is normal and natural. Many times in Scripture the prophets and Mary are told not to be afraid. A bit of fear in us, can be a sign that the Holy Spirit might be at work.
Ponder and pray: What are your fears and hesitations? How might you invite the Spirit and Mary to comfort and companion you.
3) Mary’s her ultimate response of YES, be it done according to your word, comes after a time and before she has full proof. Mary’s assent to this unbelievable plan shows her faithfulness and trust in the yet unknown revelation of God.
Ponder and pray: What do you sense God asking of you? How would you like to invite Mary to walk with you and instruct you. You can talk with her about her experiences and feelings. What might you turn over to God with your YES – be it done according to your Word.
Today, Mary continues to walk with each of us. She is a model of the ideal Christian. We too are each called to bring forth Christ’s presence to the world.
4) The beautiful prayer of the Hail Mary comes from the Scripture text, and is an invitation for each of us to be part of extending Mary’s mission today. She walks with us, and wants us to know that we too have the grace to live out what God calls us to. Whether we will physically give birth to children, spiritually we each have a ‘womblike space’ where God is at work within, and we have to tend to our soul until it emerges, very much like the earth in springtime.
Ponder the words of the angel, as words being spoken to you in your Christian walk today.
Hail _____________(your name), full of grace, God is with you.
Blessed are you among (people) and blessed is the fruit of your womb/life.
Holy ______________(your name), mother/nurturer of God, join in prayer for all people, and trust that Mary prays for and with you, now and at the hour of your death.
Today and in our ongoing journey of faith, may we grow in confidence of how blessed we each are, in being given the grace to achieve what God asks of each of us.
—Sr. Leanne Jablonski, FMI