I realize that we all know this story VERY well as we hear it during Advent and also on March 25 when we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation. But today, perhaps we can read it with new eyes and a new heart. Let's consider our reactions when God sends us "messengers" with special invitations to bear his presence into the world.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to 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 holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:26-38
REFLECT ON THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS YOU LOOK AT THE IMAGES:
1. God comes to visit us through "messengers" – a line from scripture, an event, a memory, a friend. Recall a time when you have experienced a message of God's hope, peace, mercy, or support or perhaps you felt God calling you to action. Who or what was the "messenger?"
2. God has something in mind for each of us to do; like Mary we are to bear good news to others, and the Holy Spirit will help us. God waits on our response. When we say, "Yes!’ the work of God in our world is brought forward. Think of a time when you dared to say "yes" to God? Has there ever been a time you felt God call you when you were too afraid to say "yes?"