Friday 20th
December 2019. Read Isaiah 7:10-14, Psalm 24:1-6 and Luke 1:26-38.
_“And the angel
said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And
behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his
name Jesus.’” *(Luke 1:30-31)*_
Our Gospel
passage presents us with the scene of the Annunciation; the announcement to
Mary by the same Angel Gabriel who had earlier on visited Zechariah. While
Zechariah asked the Angel: “How shall I know this…?”, Mary asked: “How will
this come about …?”
There is a
whole world of difference between these two questions. While the first wants to
be sure about the authenticity of the message, the second already believes but
asks for details. By asking how this was to happen, Mary already showed her
cooperation with God; her willingness to ensure that God’s plan materializes.
The final
response of Mary to the Angel clearly shows Mary’s humility. “Behold, I am the
handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.” In other words,
“Your will O Lord and not mine should be done.” This should be our attitude
towards God.
We live in an
age and time when prayers have become command statements to God. We give God
instructions. We want God to do exactly what we want fast and with careful
precision. We really don’t care so much about doing God’s will or not but we
want Him to do what we ask for. We sometimes even threaten God in our prayer.
Let us learn
from Mary to say to God: “Behold I am your handmaid, let your will be done in
my life.” Mary abandoned herself for God and her consent allowed God to work
mightily in her. Mary became the virgin in whose life was fulfilled the prophecy
of Isaiah to King Ahaz.
In moments of
temptation, do I realize that God also seeks my consent? To allow God’s will to
be done or to allow that which would please the devil. Do I even consider what
my life would be when I truly say to God; “I am your handmaid, let what you
have said be done; let your will Oh God be done, let your commandments prevail
in my life.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, fill me with
joy. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 3rd Week of
Advent. Bible Study: Isaiah 7:10-14, Psalm 24:1-6 and Luke 1:26-38).
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