MARY OUR MODEL

Luke 1:26-38

One of the great mysteries at the heart of our Faith as Christian is that God has loved us so much that he decided to enter into our humanity in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Today’s gospel narrates the beautiful story of the annunciation when the Angel Gabriel was sent to Mary to deliver the message of the divine entry into humanity. Upon entering Gabriel greeted Mary, “Rejoice O highly favored daughter. The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the Angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God, behold you will conceive and bear a son.”

When Gabriel appeared to Mary, she has probably grown up dreaming the same romantic dreams of young girls. Dreams of marriage, home and family. She was even engaged to a man named Joseph and about to be married. Suddenly Gabriel comes to make his announcement to her. This was a terrible message that could turn her life upside down. Mary is called upon to bear shame of having an illegitimate child. The shame and humiliation and probably death by stoning; all of this for the glory of God. It is a message that brings tremendous social stigma. 

What I find interesting in this story is the reaction of Mary to the message. As we make our final preparations for Christmas, let us ponder those words of Mary. First she says:  “How will this be, since I have no relations with a man?” She knows already she is hearing something beyond human capability. Her question is not prompted by doubt or skepticism, but by wonder and expression of great faith. What she is asking for is more information about the mission she is about to undertake. And after the explanation, we see her saying: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Despite the shame that was sure to come her way, despite the humiliation she would bear, Mary was willing to submit her life to the will of the Lord. In doing so, she sets an example of obedience and surrender that every child of God needs to take to heart.

Mary's prompt response of "yes" to the divine message is a model of faith for all believers. Mary believed God's promises even when they seemed impossible. She was full of grace because she trusted that what the Angel said was true and would be fulfilled. She was willing and eager to do God's will, even if it seemed difficult or even impossible. When our lives do not go as we have planned it is easy to fear and to be troubled. But let us always remember that God will sometimes allow things to happen in your life that are hard to bear and hard to understand, yet the Lord sends them our way so that we might grow in faith and come to know Him in a better way. The secret to surviving the dreadful times is to learn to trust completely in the Lord.

During this period of great expectation, Mary gives us a picture of faith as a response to God's favor.  She is our example, not only because she is the mother of God, but mostly because she is a woman of faith; and this is which helped her to accept God’s plan in her life. This passage calls us to faith and trust in God even when we seem not understanding. Faith is not something we possess, but something that possesses us. Faith is an obedient response to God showing Himself in our lives. May the Lord grant us such faith as we prepare ourselves for the coming of his son.