March 25, 26 – Wednesday - Mary, Active Recipient and Participant

Daily Divine Word: Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

March 25, 26 – Wednesday - Mary, Active Recipient and Participant

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38

Today, we celebrate the solemn feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. We hear familiar passages from the bible today – Isaiah predicting that ‘the virgin shall bear a child, Emmanuel God is with us and in the gospel, Luke recounting the event of annunciation by angel Gabriel.

Beginning of a New History: This is a feast celebrating the Lord’s incarnation in Mary’s womb, initiating a new history. It is interesting to note that God does not send angel to the Temple in Jerusalem but to Galilee, a despised region at the periphery. Mary’s consent to initiates new history and at same time alters her own life. The annunciation was a quiet, modest glimpse into the incredible beginning of God’s active presence and engagement with humanity. God did not command Mary nor did He make a trumpet blast at the announcement. God initiates new beginnings often through unexpected people, places and events. At times, God’s interventions do happen in a quiet way making tremendous impact.

Mary, not impulsive but profoundly prudent: Angel Gabriel announces. On hearing Angel’s message, which strange, something unheard before, she did not react impulsively. Mary listens, reflects and enters into a dialogue with herself and with the angel. She needs clarity and assurance. Mary does not allow herself to be overcome by emotions. She handles the situation prudently. She is a courageous woman, remains in control of herself even though angel appeared and told her something unheard of. After a wise dialogue, she evaluates and decides trusting in God’s promise. She leaps into the unknows, knowing well who is in control of everything. This is exhortation not to be impulsive at strange events, crisis moments and unknown challenges, instead slow down, dialogue and decided prudently trusting in the Lord.

Yes makes Divine word visible and tangible: It is the ‘YES’ that Mary said to angel Gabriel within the closed doors of her house, made the Divine Word visible and tangible. St. Augustine of Hippo explained this moment of annunciation as ‘whom the heavens cannot contain, the womb of one woman bore. She carried and nursed our bread.’ The annunciation marks the instance in human history when the ‘word became flesh and dwelt among us.’ This is humble but power beginning, no one knew it except Mary, no one could feel it except Mary. Mary’s ‘let it be done to me’ transform her house now and Joseph’s house later, the house of God. In and through Mary God entered into human history. Her yes is not temporary; it is permanent and irrevocable. She was faithful to her Yes till the end. My obedience/cooperation with God’s plan could make the Divine visible and tangible. My surrender to God could be a means of blessings to thousands.

Mary active recipient and participant: Mary surrendered herself to the plan of God. Mary was/is an active recipient of God’s messages, and she continues to participate actively in God’s mission. She having said YES to angel, did not begin to act according to her plans. She did not become over enthusiastic. It was a complete surrender. She navigated her entire life at God’s own time and pace. God’s time and pace require our time and pace. Surrender to God implies trusting to travel at His time and pace, which simply not the ticking of the clock. God’s time of action is the right time.

Our Takeaway

1. God initiates new beginnings often through unexpected people, places and events. God’s interventions do happen in a quiet way making tremendous impact.
2. Mary was not impulsive but profoundly prudent. The message was strange. She listened, reflected and dialogued. She invites us to slow down at strange events, doubts, crisis moments, dialogue and decide trusting in the Lord.
3. My obedience/cooperation with God’s plan could make the Divine visible and tangible. My surrender to God could be a means of blessings to thousands.
4. Surrender to God implies trusting to travel at His time and pace, which simply not the ticking of the clock. God’s time of action is the right time.

Wilson SVD