Let it be to me according to your word, Mary: Day 203

Last updated on: February 9, 2016 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Let it be to me according to your word, Mary: Day 203 2016-01-01T16:59:28-05:00 Pete Socks

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Let it be to me according to your word

St. John of Damascus ponders the intentions behind Mary’s words to Gabriel at the Annunciation.

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you” (Lk 1:28). Mary considered what this greeting might mean. Then the angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Lk 1:30). In fact, she who was wor- thy of grace had found it. She found grace, the one who had done the deeds of grace, and had reaped its fullness. She found grace, the one who brought forth the Source of grace, and was a rich harvest of grace.

“You shall conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you will call his name Jesus” (Lk 1: 31). What did she, who is true wisdom, reply? She did not imitate our first mother Eve, but rather avoided Eve’s lack of caution. Appeal- ing to the facts of nature to support her, she answered the angel: “How can this be, since I have no husband?” (Lk 1:34). What you say is impossible, for it goes beyond the natural laws laid down by the Creator. I will not be called a sec- ond Eve and disobey the will of my God. If you aren’t speaking godless things, explain the mystery by saying how it is to be accomplished.

Then the messenger of truth answered her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the Child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Lk 1:35). What has been prophesied is not subservient to the laws of nature. For God, the Creator of nature, can alter its laws. Then she, listening in holy reverence to that sacred name that she had always desired, signified her obedience in words full of humil- ity and joy: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). —St. John of Damascus, First Homily on the Dormition

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
When the angel announced to Zechariah that his wife would bear a son, he asked, “How shall I know this?” (Lk 1:18), and suffered for his unbelief. How did Mary’s question to Gabriel differ from his? Was her response an expression of doubt, or a request for clarification?

CLOSING PRAYER
Mary, Seat of Wisdom, you replied to the angel with prudence, and responded to God with humility. Pray for us to have a generous share in your humility, which is the soil in which true prudence grows.

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