Word to the Wise
Saturday, December 20, 2014 -
[Isaiah 7:10-14 and Luke 1:26-35]Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you. [Luke]
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2014
Luke's story of how Jesus was born focuses on Mary. Today's annunciation scene is beloved of painters and poets and is invoked millions of times a day when Catholics pray the "Hail Mary!" Theologians and spiritual writers also find much to talk about and meditate on. We can do the same if we take the time to say the first part of the "Hail Mary" slowly and read today's gospel.
I like to think about the line, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." Those kinds of lines in the Bible often mean that God is going to ask something difficult. News of an unexpected pregnancy is difficult enough, but the angel indicates that the child will be more than ordinary! Like many Old Testament figures such as Moses and Jeremiah, Mary protests, but ultimately agrees to God's plan for her: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." That act of faith still inspires, even if it is difficult to avoid being afraid! We can only imagine the scene when her family and Joseph's discover she is pregnant!
When we look at the Christmas manger scene, "all is calm, all is bright," but a lot of struggle and difficulty went into its accomplishment for the characters involved. Yet, that calmness and brightness may be just what we need to get through the remainder of the season. AMEN