Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Joel J. Miller

About
Resources
Joel's Books
Article Categories
- Spiritual Growth
- Theology
- Prayer
- Church Life
- Family Life
- Society
- Books
- Misc

Home
Evangelical
Mary said yes. What about us?

Mary said yes. What about us?

Last updated on: March 25, 2013 at 7:49 am by Joel J. Miller

Mary said yes. What about us? 2013-03-25T07:49:47-06:00 Joel J. Miller

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Detail from Annunciation icon, Wikimedia Commons.

Many modern Christians have misgivings about Mary, but what if we checked those misgivings for a moment? There’s a powerful lesson for us in the life and example of this woman, a lesson about humility, obedience, and putting faith into action. And it all starts with a yes.

As the evangelist Luke gives the account, the angel Gabriel wings into view and tells Mary, then an unwed teenager, that she will conceive a child. And not just any child. This would be Jesus, the son of David, the “Son of the Most High.”

Mary asks, reasonably, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?”

The angel answers, outlandishly, “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 . . . [W]ith God nothing will be impossible.”

Mary then answers, amazingly, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

The power and meaning of Mary’s yes

In Paradiso, Dante refers to Mary as the “fixed goal of the eternal counsel.” The whole plan of God led to her, in other words. Mary’s answer is amazing for that very reason. Whereas Israel was prideful and stiff-necked, Mary was humble. Whereas Israel was rebellious and unfaithful, Mary was obedient. Whereas Israel possessed the faith but little fruit, Mary’s faith yielded a goodly and godly bounty.

Mary’s answer is amazing because it comes after so many difficult and disappointing centuries of God’s people murmuring, “No.” Finally, here was “Yes.”

But her answer amazes further because Mary isn’t different than Israel. Mary is Israel. She is what Israel was always meant to be.

The great example, not the great exception

Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann used to say that Mary isn’t the great exception; she’s the great example. When told that we are to bring forth Christ in the world, our answer should be Mary’s answer: “[L]et it be to me according to your word.” Christians are called to follow in her humble, obedient, fruitful footsteps.

Luke’s followup to his gospel, the Book of Acts, makes this point in another way. Patrick Henry Reardon notes that the Holy Spirit is poured out on Mary in the opening of the gospel, and she brings forth Christ. Similarly, the Holy Spirit is poured out on the church in the opening of Acts, and the church brings forth Christ — taking the good news to the uttermost parts of the earth.

God may not be calling us to the far-flung corners, but he is calling us to bring forth Christ in our own way, to walk humbly, obediently, and yield the fruit of faith in our lives and for those around us.

Mary is a picture of us all. What might God do through us if we say yes like she did?

Side note: ‘Daughter of thy son’

Postscript: I couldn’t resist adding something more from Dante. In a beautiful and arresting phrase, he calls Mary “daughter of thy son” and then adds that she is “lowly and uplifted.” That’s the promise of life in Christ. In our lowliness, Christ elevates us.

Patrick Henry Reardon

Previous Post

March 25, 2012

Merry Christmas! In March?

Next Post

March 28, 2012 Meditation on the cross

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Books Church Life Family Life Misc Prayer Quotes Society Spiritual Growth Theology Uncategorized Video

Select a Month April 2014 March 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 November 2008 October 2008 July 2008 June 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 August 2007 June 2007 October 2002 July 2002 November 1999 October 1999

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What worldwide Christian youth movement was started by Robert Baden-Powell with a focus on outdoor activities and morality?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Sisters of Charity Wesley Guild Young Life Boy Scouts