Let us all follow Mary’s example. Allowing the Word of God to find a space to live in our humble, jumbled hearts changes everything. He makes all things new. He does … really.
When we meet Mary for the first time in Scripture, it is in the context of her encounter with Gabriel, an Archangel who appears to this young, innocent girl. She is troubled and he reassures her: “Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God.” Her fear is understandable. This is an encounter with a powerful, holy, other-worldly, angelic being.
The plan is then revealed to her: “You will conceive in your womb … bear a son … His name is Jesus. He will be great … Son of the Most High … He will reign forever … of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Mary is not passive, she puts voice to a very real question: “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” She receives the Archangel’s response: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you … the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.”
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Mary is a Jew of that time period. The thought of being pregnant out of wedlock had to have brought with it the awareness: “I could die from this.” Yet, the moment she hears the plan she responds with: “Be it done unto me …”
There is no calculation, no weighing of pros and cons. She offers no contingencies: If this happens, then I stay on; if such and such doesn’t happen, then I am released. She says simply: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Remember, Mary is not omniscient. She has no more clue as to what will happen in the future than you or I do.
Notice that her question is “how” – a clarification as to the course of action she was to take – not why. Never, from this moment until she witnesses her beloved Son take His last breath, does she ask, “Why?” It is always “How.” How shall this be? How am I to understand this?
The grandeur of Mary does not consist in the fact that she was never assaulted by confusion. It rests rather on the fact that when she did not understand something she did not react with irritation, impatience, anxiety or fright.
Isn’t it true? When we meet this woman – what stands out with singular clarity is her trust. Trust? Never for one moment from her first encounter with God, does she cease to trust. How does Mary come to this level of trust?
She trusts because she loves. And how does she come to love like this? Mary is a faithful Jew. She grew up hearing about the God of Israel. Parts of the Old Testament were read to her. But more than that – Mary internalized what she heard and therefore, Mary came to know the Lord. She knew His sacred, living Word in Scripture as what it is – a sacred, living Word in her life. There is no gap – no disconnect. She knew the psalms by heart; they were living within her, shaping her heart, influencing her actions, determining the color, tone and texture of her life.
Let us all follow Mary’s example. Allowing the Word of God to find a space to live in our humble, jumbled hearts changes everything. He makes all things new. He does … really.
Sister Regina Marie, O.C.D.
Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
Image credit: “The Annunciation” (detail) | Paolo de Matteis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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