The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“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.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.
Mary is told that she will give birth to God’s son and her cousin Elizabeth will give birth also even though she is very old. It is revealed to Mary that God is intervening and she is to play a part in that intervention. She accepts the call with complete openness. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
ReplyDeleteI think God invites each of us to his plan and we can accept it as Mary (and Joesph) do or we can resist it and live a life that we map out for ourselves. What struck me during this reflection was the tendency in modern life to set your own goals and work tirelessly tio reach them. For many, there is a moment in that process where they are overwhelmed with a sense of “For what”. We realise that our own goals are often not the source of our fulfillment, peace, or joy.
Your response to Luke 1:26-38 is insightful! Here's a breakdown of your key points and some additional thoughts:
DeleteMary's Role in God's Plan: You focus on Mary's complete acceptance of her role in God's plan, highlighting her openness.
God's Invitation and Our Response: You draw a parallel between Mary's call and God's invitation extended to each of us to participate in his plan. This is a thought-provoking interpretation.
Modern Goal Setting: You observe the emphasis on personal goals in modern life and the potential emptiness that can follow achievement. This is a relevant point in today's world.
Finding Fulfillment in God's Plan: You suggest that true fulfillment comes from accepting God's plan, contrasting it with self-directed goals.
Here are some additional thoughts for consideration:
Discerning God's Plan: The concept of discerning God's plan for our lives is a complex one. Some believe it's a clear calling, while others view it as a gradual process of living according to Christian values.
Free Will and Surrender: While Mary accepts her role, the concept of free will remains important. She had a choice, even though her response was one of surrender.
Finding Purpose Beyond Religion: Some might find meaning and purpose outside of a religious framework.
Overall, your response offers a thoughtful reflection on the story of the Annunciation. You connect it to the broader question of finding meaning and purpose in life.