Walking home on a clear night can be so breath taking, especially during the winter beneath a full moon. Astronomers tell us that the three thousand stars visible to the naked eye are only a tiny fraction of those known to exist. When you consider that each star, the closest being 25 trillion miles away, is a sun in itself, I have to wonder how God could even notice 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 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 arid land. The God of the universe, the God who created those countless stars, showered favor on a modest maiden in the tiny village of Nazareth.
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!”
Telling her that she would bear a son, Gabriel then explains that her son would have no human father. Instead, he would be the son of God. Imagine that, the creator of the universe, of its countless stars and planets, would enter this young maiden to bring about the conception of his son. He would be destined to occupy the throne of David; thus her son would be the long awaited Messiah, the liberator God promised Israel long ago.
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 of the sky that night!
Her consent may appear to have been impulsively given, but I would venture to say Mary gave much thought to what was being asked of her. Because she was immaculately conceived, that is, born free of sin, Mary never wavered in her faith. Since the time she reached the age of reason, Mary likely fought temptations just as we do, but unlike us, she always succeeded in resisting them. Through self-control, discipline, and her reliance on God, she always rejected temptation and avoided sin. How did she manage that? Most likely, she made the conscious effort to include God in her decision making at every step of her life.
Mary understood well the answer to her question, “How could this be?” Telling her that nothing would be impossible for God, Gabriel portrays the father of her child as one who would always be there to empower and protect her.
Her consent, “May it be done according to your word,” was a typical way of saying in biblical times, “As you wish.” Have we ever said that to God? Every time we pray 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, from time to time, but too often we still want to be in control of our lives. Even if we had all the resources of the world at our disposal, that is not always possible. Consider the weather. It is beyond our control as are accidents and illnesses that can crop up when we least expect them.
Do you remember John Chancellor? He served for years as an anchor for NBC News. He was looking forward to a comfortable retirement when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Before he died, he said, “Cancer is a reminder of how short a leash you’re on. As I read somewhere, ‘You want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans.’”
Why would the creator of the universe step into our space and time? Because he cares. God cares about you and me, along with the homeless seeking shelter on this cold night, the patient coping with a life threatening illness, the battered spouse, the lonely teenager who feels unloved, and the alcoholic struggling to regain a sense of dignity. From the cosmic to the intimate, God is very much in touch with all creation and with our lives, rather we care to believe that or not. Are we in touch with God? Dare we follow the example of Mary and turn ourselves over to God?
Mary’s example reminds me of prayer written by a French mystic, Blessed Charles de Foucauld, that is often said by priests who belong to the fraternity of Jesus Caritas; “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 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.”
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?