In
the Annunciation story, the focus is usually on the “Yes” that Mary ultimately
gives to the Lord’s invitation, despite her initial confusion and fear. The
message is delivered by an Angel who engages Mary in dialogue. During their conversation, the Angel reveals
to Mary what the Lord has in store for her.
This revelation is not meant to impose an obligation on Mary, however. Rather, the Lord waits for her response. Apparently,
none of this scenario will unfold as it is revealed unless Mary gives her
consent. Although Mary starts out perplexed
and afraid, ultimately she does indeed give her consent with the now familiar
reply, “I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done unto me according to your
Word.”
Another focus in the Annunciation story
worthy of attention is what Mary says first in response to the Angel. Before Mary says yes, she gives voice to her
confusion and asks the Angel a question:
“How can this be?” This is the
first thing that Mary says, for clearly she has some misgivings over what this
message will mean for her and for Joseph.
From a practical standpoint alone, none of it fits with what she and
Joseph have already planned. The Angel
responds to her question with an answer that apparently either satisfies her,
or at least allays her fears. For, only after
Mary receives the Angel’s explanation, as mysterious as it is, does she respond
with her yes. This simple response not
only expresses Mary’s consent; it also expresses her profound trust in the Lord
that things will work out for the best.
We have the advantage of hindsight to know
much about how things did work out for Mary and Joseph, as well as for Jesus;
indeed, for the whole world. But, the
question for us today has to do with what the story means for us. What lesson can we draw from the story of the
Annunciation and from Mary’s reaction to that mysterious invitation given by
the Lord so long ago. There are at least
three aspects of the story that hold meaning for us today.
First, it’s okay to ask God what’s going
on. Although it was clear that the Angel
was a messenger from the Lord, Mary was not afraid to ask what was happening. Her
question shows that she is paying attention to God, to his message, and to her
own life. The same holds true for
us. When we ask God about what is
happening, we show him that we are not just wandering around in the wilderness
refusing to ask for directions. We care
about his message and want to know and understand what he has in store for us.
Second, God will tell us. The Angel did not brush off Mary’s
question. The Angel answered with an
explanation of how things would unfold.
Only then did Mary put her trust in the Lord. We probably shouldn’t expect an angel to
appear with answers to our questions, but we can be sure that God will provide
the answer. Ask and you shall
receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it will be opened. We just have to listen with our hearts, as
Mary did. God may tell us through Scripture,
through his creation, or through his messengers. And, who are his
messengers? His messengers are his
friends—our friends, our family, our associates and sometimes even total
strangers to us. God speaks to us
through others, sometimes unlikely others.
The Angel, after all, was an unlikely messenger and total stranger to
Mary.
Third and finally, after God tells us what’s
going on, we may well feel empowered and brave enough to take on the challenge,
whatever it may be. Mary clearly did not
get a complete picture from her dialogue with the Angel. But, this did not prevent her from accepting
the Word of the Lord with courage and trust.
The Lord reciprocated her trust with the gift of the Holy Spirit, who
empowered Mary to carry out her role in God’s will to the fullest. Likewise, we don’t have to have all the
answers before we go forward with trust in the Lord. For, we have the same assurance from Jesus
that the Holy Spirit will overshadow us, guide us in his way, teach us all
truth, and remain with us until the end of time. With the Holy Spirit at our side, we can be
sure things will work out for the best.
The irony in Mary’s response to the Angel is
that she most likely did not understand or perceive the reality at that moment
that she was to give birth to the Word of God made flesh. Mary accepted this
idea at face value without a full understanding, and her acceptance paved the
way for countless others to encounter the Word of God as well. We find that Word in Jesus, in how he lived his
life, in how and what he taught, and in how he remained true to his mission. He remained steadfast even when others set
out to kill him for his unconventional beliefs and teachings. As a result, we have the opportunity to
imitate Jesus and through him come to know the Father better.
You might say that today’s reading is a
Profile in Courage. Mary, a young girl,
has the courage and temerity to ask God, “What’s going on?” Through his messenger, God tells her,
although it is a mysterious explanation.
And, despite the mystery and her own personal fear, Mary accepts with
courage what she hears, namely, that the Holy Spirit will overshadow her and
empower her to carry out the will of God.
Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will overshadow us, and that we will
listen to the Word so that we can be courageous and true to Jesus, and true to
the Father’s will for us in our own lives.
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