Walking home on a clear night can be so breath taking. Astronomers tell us that the three thousand stars visible to the naked eye are a mere fraction of those known to exist. When you consider that each star is a sun in itself, I have to wonder how God even notices this little planet in the midst of such a vast universe, much less you or me, but he does.
If we can be so awed by the immensity of the universe, how much more should we be that this same God would give us life in the midst of such a vast, barren setting?
This gospel passage is set, not in the star studded heavens, but in a patch of earth tucked away in a remote and distant land off the beaten path. The God of the universe, the God who created those countless stars, showered favor on a modest maiden in the tiny village of Nazareth.
Luke’s story is profoundly moving to hear. Mary had an encounter that changed the course of history. She was singled out by the creator of all things for the greatest honor ever given to any woman, to be the mother of God. The angel, Gabriel, in presenting the news, began by saying, “Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you!” Considering how often the rosary is said daily, perhaps this is the most quoted line in scripture!
Telling her that she would bear a son, Gabriel then explains that he will be the Son of God. Imagine that, the creator of the universe with its countless stars and planets, would enter this young maiden to bring about the conception of his son, who will be destined to occupy the throne of David; thus her son would be the long awaited Messiah, the liberator God had promised Israel many centuries ago. God’s love for us is so great that he wants to become one of us.
With her consent, this virgin gave flesh to the eternal Word, the second person of the Trinity to whom every atom in the universe owes its origin and present existence. One could say that Mary out-shined the stars that night!
Her consent may appear to have been impulsively given, but I suspect Mary gave much thought to what was being asked of her. Her consent, “May it be done according to your word,” was a typical way of saying in biblical times, “As you wish.”
How readily do we say that to God? Every time we say the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “They will be done,” but is that our personal response to God? We pray to God, asking for help and guidance, but too often we still want to be in control of our lives. But that is not always possible. Consider the weather. It is beyond our control as are accidents and illnesses that can crop up unexpectedly.
The creator of the universe steps into our space and time because he cares about us, along with patients coping with Covid 19, gasping to breathe, battered spouses, lonely teenagers who feel unloved, the homeless seeking shelter on this cold wet day, refugee yearning for a safe haven, and alcoholics struggling to regain a sense of dignity. From the cosmic to the intimate, God is very much in touch with all creation and with us. Are we in touch with God? Dare we turn ourselves over to God like Mary did?
To be a Christian is to be a person who keeps their ears open to what God is calling them to do, so that they can answer that call. Mary is a model of one who did just that.
Her example reminds me of a prayer written by a French mystic, Blessed Charles de Foucauld; “Father, I abandon myself into your hands. Do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you. I am ready for all. I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands, I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart; for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself; to surrender myself into your hands without reserve and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.”
Carrying out the will of God to the best of our ability won’t always be easy, but the goal we seek, union with Christ forever, is worth every once of our effort.
We have nothing to fear by allowing God to be involved in our lives; what Gabriel said of Mary is meant for us as well. Just think, amidst the many stars of the universe, you are noticed. “The Lord is with you.” Now, isn’t that an awesome present to look forward to on Christmas Day?