The angel Gabriel would like a word. . .
Wouldn’t it be nice if the Annunciation was simply an historical event? A one and done. Like, whew, what a relief, Mary already said yes to God, I can relax. It happened 2,000 years ago, it’s a lovely story, doesn’t have anything to do with me.
Many, many years ago I remember someone writing about the Annunciation and wondering whether Mary wasn’t the first girl to be visited by the angel. Maybe Mary was just the first one to say “yes.” Or, in my collection of memes I have a picture of a famous renaissance painting of Gabriel kneeling before Mary who has her hand out and she says “I’m sorry, not without a pre-nuptial agreement.”
Do you notice, in the Gospel how the story plays out? Gabriel says: Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
Gabriel is declaring, behold, this is how it will be!
How does Mary respond? Does she say: “Oh well, OK, I guess, if you say so…”
No. She says, wait a minute. “How can this be?” She’s thinking: “I’ve never taken a biology class, but I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck either, and no, that isn’t how having children works.” Who would blame Mary if she said: “Sorry but, no offense, I know you’re an angel, but just leave me alone, OK?”
No, she didn’t do that. She listened, she pondered, she decided. “May it be done to me according to your word.”
But that brings us back to the original question, doesn’t it? What if this wasn’t just an historical event. What if Gabriel is still whispering to us every day? Do not be afraid! You have found favor with God, and you will bear the presence of God in the world. Each of us, today, has the choice of listening and becoming the presence of God in the world, through our presence, our prayer, our compassion, our love, our service. Because isn’t that how God is made present?
Listen! What is Gabriel saying to you today? How are you responding?
If only we would "listen with the ear of our heart". Perhaps we too are afraid. We an not believe that God would find favor with us. We only need to trust and hope. Perhaps we all should think about faith, hope, and charity and ask to be strengthened in each of these virtues!