In some important ways, the whole Advent season has been highlighting the exceptional privilege of Mary. Today’s Gospel (Luke 1, 26-38) reminds us again of the visit from the Angel of God to share with her the Good News of the coming of the Messiah – and her important role in making that happen. We treasure he willing “yes” to God. But we must be very careful not to over-emphasize her exceptional privilege and take ourselves off the hook!
We must avoid the thinking that says “visits from angels are for special people and reserved for special, momentous occasions.” Every single one of us lives a life marked by visits, revelations, insights, messages, and calls to commitments. Every one of us knows that. We get too easily confused by artists’ representations of the Gospel scene (you know, long white robes and huge feathery wings).
The final hours of Advent call us to an open heart and an open mind, a readiness to make way for all kinds of revelations, insights, and calls to commitment. When these come to us, we can either drag our feet and become a joyless people, or we turn away and refuse to hear. What a tragedy either of those would be!
Yet the wonderful thing about all of this is that God is forever sending messengers and messages our way, and we all get opportunity after opportunity to open our hearts and minds to say “yes,” accepting God’s will and then marveling at how God’s plan unfolds for us into a life of joy and peace.
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For more (scroll down to the Daily Meditation): https://wau.org/meditations/2023/12/24/854980/
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Let us pray as Advent draws to a close for the faith that opens our lives to the Spirit of God: “Lord our God, your Eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Open our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces His glory and open our hearts to receive the Spirit who prepares us for His coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
