For no word
from God will ever fail
Mary must have been terrified at first. Pregnancy
outside of marriage meant total exclusion from the community and possible death
by stoning. Yet her trust in God is something quite remarkable. In the account
of the Annunciation, Luke portrays Mary as the first disciple. As with all
disciples, once they hear good news, the must proclaim it and Mary does so in
her visit to Elizabeth. These two women, strong, courageous, listening to God’
s Word and proclaiming God’s Word.
The Gospel today is rich, spend some time with it.
Perhaps you could focus on a time when you heard and responded to an invitation
from God. Who was the messenger? Was there a tough decision involved? An
authentic ‘yes’ often requires a struggle and plenty of reflection. We often,
like Mary, have many questions and concerns. How did it feel to have this
invitation from God? Or perhaps, you were the messenger! What was it like to
affirm another and to invite another? What was the response: “I am the Lord’s servant”?
“If I, a
little, stumbling faithful soul say “yes”, and others in so many other places
do the same, then once again, all Heaven will stand on tiptoe, and all creation
hold its breath, as in our day the way is opened up for God to come. I wonder,
will God begin again with us this Christmas?” – Ruth
Patterson
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