We are approaching the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas is less than a week away. There’s something special in the air, an excitement, a kind of anticipation that’s not like any other time of the year. We look forward to the parties and the presents. But we know there is so much more to it than that, because we share the anticipation of an angel.
Think about the story St. Luke tells in this week’s gospel. God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth to speak to a young woman there named Mary. His task was to tell her about God’s great plan and what her part in that plan would be. Perhaps Mary was sitting quietly in some peaceful corner of her home or up on the roof watching the sun go down, when there was a great burst of light (in the movies there would have been heavenly music playing in the background). And suddenly, there he stood, larger-than-life, and totally awesome to see, maybe even frightening, because one of the first things Gabriel said was: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Lk 1:30) The angel then went on to present God’s plan to Mary; he answered her questions, and even gave her some good news about her cousin, Elizabeth. And then he paused......with great anticipation he waited for Mary’s reply......the silence must have been profound.
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)
Mary said, “Yes.” How wonderful it must have been on that day: the magnificent angel and the humble young woman, chosen by God Himself, pure and gentle and not-at-all prepared for what she was hearing. And then she said it, the sentence that would change the world forever. Surely Gabriel smiled; and the celebration in heaven must have been extraordinary! “May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary had said “Yes” to God!
Mary’s encounter with the angel was not the first or the last time that Scripture described a meeting between Heaven and Earth, between God and Mankind. To Mary, He sent an angel; for David, God’s word came through the prophet Nathan. When God wanted to get St. Paul’s attention, He knocked him off his horse.
Throughout the Scriptures, we read how God has communicated with human beings: He made promises, offered a covenant, spoke through a prophet, gave us the gospel, revealed His majesty, presented His commandments, and sent an angel. All of us here probably have heard God speak to us, in one way or another. And when God speaks, things happen. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he placed the final piece of the puzzle in Mary’s humble and obedient hands. Now, the power of God’s word was about to change the course of human history.
Of course, that’s not the end of the story. Actually, it’s just the beginning, for Mary, and for us. There is still a lot of work to be done. How do you suppose God will speak to you the next time He has a job for you to do? Will He send an angel? Probably not. But He might send someone from the community. Perhaps a ministry is shorthanded and needs your help, or an article is needed for the next Covenant News. There is always a need for more sponsors and shepherds, auxies and prayer warriors. Don’t be afraid to say, “yes.” When someone asks you to do a job that seems way too big, recall the words of the angel: “do not be afraid”...”nothing is impossible for God.” Then, like David, like Mary, like Paul, you and I can offer Him our own humble “yes,” with absolute trust in the promises and the faithfulness of our God! When Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your word,” she helped set in motion the final stage of God’s greatest plan, His plan for the salvation of the world! What great thing does God want to accomplish through you? The only way to find out is to say, “Lord, may it be done to me according to Your word.”
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)
Mary said, “Yes.” How wonderful it must have been on that day: the magnificent angel and the humble young woman, chosen by God Himself, pure and gentle and not-at-all prepared for what she was hearing. And then she said it, the sentence that would change the world forever. Surely Gabriel smiled; and the celebration in heaven must have been extraordinary! “May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary had said “Yes” to God!
Mary’s encounter with the angel was not the first or the last time that Scripture described a meeting between Heaven and Earth, between God and Mankind. To Mary, He sent an angel; for David, God’s word came through the prophet Nathan. When God wanted to get St. Paul’s attention, He knocked him off his horse.
Throughout the Scriptures, we read how God has communicated with human beings: He made promises, offered a covenant, spoke through a prophet, gave us the gospel, revealed His majesty, presented His commandments, and sent an angel. All of us here probably have heard God speak to us, in one way or another. And when God speaks, things happen. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he placed the final piece of the puzzle in Mary’s humble and obedient hands. Now, the power of God’s word was about to change the course of human history.
Of course, that’s not the end of the story. Actually, it’s just the beginning, for Mary, and for us. There is still a lot of work to be done. How do you suppose God will speak to you the next time He has a job for you to do? Will He send an angel? Probably not. But He might send someone from the community. Perhaps a ministry is shorthanded and needs your help, or an article is needed for the next Covenant News. There is always a need for more sponsors and shepherds, auxies and prayer warriors. Don’t be afraid to say, “yes.” When someone asks you to do a job that seems way too big, recall the words of the angel: “do not be afraid”...”nothing is impossible for God.” Then, like David, like Mary, like Paul, you and I can offer Him our own humble “yes,” with absolute trust in the promises and the faithfulness of our God! When Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your word,” she helped set in motion the final stage of God’s greatest plan, His plan for the salvation of the world! What great thing does God want to accomplish through you? The only way to find out is to say, “Lord, may it be done to me according to Your word.”