Mary is prayerful. She’s got a clear mind - she’s smart and attentive. She’s also very young, and doesn’t have any children. Her parents have not had a whole lot of trouble with her because she’s attentive to her household duties, their daily devotions, recital of psalms and cultural routines which were interwoven throughout the day. It’s easier for her, since her parents have done the same. They are a devout family. Anyway…she’s got some downtime today. What do you do with downtime in First century Nazareth? If you knew how to read and had anything to read - I guess you’d read. No doom scrolling. No Amazon Prime. I’m sure she played with friends or cousins - played pretend, hopscotch, jump-rope. The stuff we did before the supremacy of screens. No Tik-tok influencing either for this teenage girl. There were pressures, but a different kind.
Anyway - she’s doing some prayer this afternoon - reciting psalms and recalling God’s goodness to Israel - something that the faithful remnant has always done. Some people are always wanting something new and different - even if it is desirable, like liberation from Roman oppressor - but Mary chooses to focus on what God has done already. He’s liberated His Servant Israel from Egypt and given them a promised land. He vanquished the Hittites and Philistines - giving them liberation from their captors three times that she can think of. All of this was so that the Lord might be worshipped as He desires - and that that worship would be done by the people He desires it from.
He wants from them, in particular, to teach all of the Nations the relationship He desires with humankind. One which we have and still do easily forsake, favoring instead self-centeredness and the next step up in the world.
Mary doesn’t have the same problem a lot of Israelites and folks worldwide have. She’s got a grateful heart, a God-centered heart, and a mind for the responsibilities God has given her - her family and…oh yes - Joseph.
Joseph is for real. She feels excited to think about being married to him - they haven’t moved in together yet, but they are all in. They both also know that their relationship is going to be different. Not sure how - and not that they’re better than anyone else, but how could it not be given how devout they both are? They know what they are about - whatever God wants and whatever He wants for Israel as a whole - they are willing to play their little part.
Mary knows the Scriptures and is dedicated to prayer. Just like any other relationship, it works if you work it. So hearing God’s voice is something she’s learned how to do. Just like a language we practice - God speaks differently. This particular afternoon, though, it wasn’t God she heard like usual, but actually saw a messenger of God. We aren’t sure if she’d ever met this particular Angel before, but she’s startled enough to make us assume not. Thankfully, the angel starts off by telling her not to be afraid. Easy for you to say, angel. I’m a bit nervous because it looks like you need something from me - or perhaps everything.
Although nervous Mary understands the context - this isn’t totally out of left field. She’s been told her whole life that She was different - not better than anyone else but that God would ask a lot of her because of what She’s been given. To say She thought it would involve giving birth to a Baby Savior would be a stretch - She was committed to Virginity and Joseph was on board, so She only had one question: “How You gonna pull this off”? The Angel explained it in a way that still didn’t add up, but She had extraordinary Faith in the God of Israel - She also knew Him well enough to know that if She said “no” He would find a way - but how could She?
"I do." She says and becomes the Spouse of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:26-38
This week, work on your relationship with God through scripture and prayer and try to hear His voice in the silence.
What is God asking you to say YES to this Lent? How can you give God your Fiat and trust in His goodness for you and your family?
Fr. Don is a Catholic priest and pastor currently serving in New Iberia, Louisiana at St. Edward Parish and School. He's always had a knack for writing and uses it to express himself and his deepest convictions. He also has always seen it as a way to explore mysteries and human experiences - particularly with God. He's always been most passionate about relationships and friendship, enjoying spending time with people. He loves being outside, writing, playing tennis and hunting. Visit https://lightexperiencer.wordpress.com/ for more reflections from Fr. Don Bernard.
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