Dear Friends:
Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Today we hear from the Gospel of Luke 1:26-38. It’s the story of the Angel Gabriel asking Mary if she will be willing to give birth to the Son of God. As the reading progresses, we see that Mary has some questions “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” The Angel answers “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.” Mary says those famous words “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” What a beautiful statement of Mary’s faith in God. Once she understands what is being asked, she does not hesitate to accept the challenge God sent her.
Can you imagine for a moment how Mary must have felt when the angel Gabriel appeared to her? She probably was frightened to death. In the time of Mary, if an angel appeared to you, it was believed that God himself was visiting. Mary, Joachim and Ann were good and holy people. They followed the Jewish faith without question. Can you imagine for a moment how brave Mary was to accept this challenge from God? Yet she accepts without question and even seems happy to do what God asks of her.
I don’t think any of us will have angels appearing to us in the near future, but it might be a good idea to think about the times God has spoken to us through our friends, relatives or maybe even an angel. Would we be as willing as Mary was to accept a challenge from God? Maybe God has presented challenges to us already in our daily lives. How have we answered?
Peace and All Good!
Deacon Jim
As I mentioned above the Lord speaks to Mary in a very special way today. Mary was a very special person. Most of all she was open to God speaking to her. I have no doubt she was afraid but still she listened. Has God spoken to you lately? Maybe yes or maybe no! Could he have spoken and you missed the message. God may be trying to get in touch with you. LISTEN CAREFULLY he may be trying to get you and cannot get through.
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