“who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary”
In God all things are possible. I want to bring us to the Gospel of St. Luke, Chapter 1, verses 26-38.
Imagine yourself a young woman, going about your every day chores and in a singular moment in time you encounter an Angel of God and you have choice to make – yes or no. And so it was with Mary.
The Gospel makes it clear to us the sacredness of the Sacrament of Marriage. Mary was betrothed to Joseph – in a bound relationship deeper than an engagement – a promise of a future life together. The Gospel is also clear to mention that Mary was a virgin. Why? Because this sets the stage and brings us to a time in history where virginity was a gift, as it is today, perhaps we have forgotten this in our modern world. The Church has not forgotten.
The angel comes with an incredible greeting: “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” Here’s the word “full” again. Mary was already “full” of the grace of God – God was with her. I often wonder when I spend time with Our Mother if she knew this – how did her intimate relationship with God manifest itself in her everyday life. It seems from the Gospel that she was troubled by the greeting.
When was the last time you were “full”? We usually attribute this word to our physical hunger – our need for nourishment. A challenge might be for us to “fill” ourselves with God so we too, can be with Him. And we can – through the Eucharist. We can also fill ourselves with kindness, charity, patience, humility and love for our brethren. Yesterday, after the Mass celebrating the Feast of St. John Vianney, I went out for dinner with my husband. Upon leaving the restaurant a woman, just sitting, shared kindness with me – simple words – “that dress looks beautiful on you.” I couldn’t help to respond to her with a genuine response of “thank you” and the warmest of smiles. She brought me joy in that simple moment – a decision – yes or no – to speak. I’m happy she spoke.
Ok…I don’t know what I would do if an angel came and stood before me, but I would probably be afraid – afraid of the unknown, afraid of what would be asked of me, afraid of what my response to God would be. If we look closer at this encounter between Mary and the angel, we see first the incredible greeting, then the reassurance of the messenger of God – “be not afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Now I think she understood the meaning of the initial greeting. But here comes the part where “in God all things are possible”. The messenger continues:
“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 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.”
Again, we are met with Mary’s response to her virginity for there was fear. “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” Remember – all things are possible with God. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”
I’ve experienced several moments of encounters which I contribute to the power of the Most High in my life. Encounters where God’s providence was present. I recall a Sunday in my late teens I had gone to Mass because I had to – because my parents forced me to. I certainly could have just let the day pass by. I preferred the morning Mass – the music was better! Mass began and Mass continued. There was a moment during that Mass at the Consecration when the Priest elevated the Host. I looked up as the bells were rung and everything seemed to stop. I was frozen in that moment, just gazing on the Real Presence of Jesus. I felt as though a warm blanket had surrounded me, comforting me, overshadowing me. There was no fear. God was most certainly there – protecting His child who could have wandered from Him. What a gift that was given to me on that day.
Let’s return to the encounter between the angel and Mary. He most certainly has come with an announcement, a promise and a revelation. “Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Here’s the part that brings focus to our lives. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary’s response – she has chosen “yes”. Mary’s Fiat – let it be done.
What will be our response to God’s call to us? In a moment of decision will it be “Yes, Lord” or will it be “No, Lord”?