(editorial for the Feast of the Annunciation – March 26)

Be It Done To Me According To Your Word

Today’s feast of the Annunciation retains a unique place in the cycle of Church

celebrations. On one hand, it is directly connected with the feast of the Nativity as the

announcement to Mary of God's incarnation through her willing cooperation. On the

other hand, this feast almost always occurs during the Lenten season, a time of

repentance in commemoration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Thus, the

Annunciation touches both the good news that God has become one like us so that we

might become as God is, and the greater news that God, in the person of Jesus, has "paid

the price" for achieving this end. And as we celebrate the mystery of God’s divine plan,

who in Jesus, took our mortal flesh, we likewise gather in thanksgiving to reflect on the

deeper meaning of what was announced by the archangel Gabriel to Mary.

Mary’s courageous decision to put her whole self on the line when she positively

responded to God’s plan of redemption strikes at the very heart of todays event. She

knows she is hearing something beyond human capability when she heard the angel say:

"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30) And it will

surely take a miracle which surpasses all that God has done previously: “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." (Luke 1:31-33) Her question, “How can this be, since I have no

relations with a man?” (Luke 1:34) is not prompted by doubt or skepticism, but by
wonderment. Mary's eventual answer to the angel is therefore not a foregone conclusion.

She could have refused since she is not a passive instrument but an active participant,

with a free and positive part to play in God's scheme of salvation: she was greatly

troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be (Luke 1:29).

But being a true hearer of the Word, Mary immediately responded with faith and

trust. Her "yes" to God’s invitation paved the way for her to become a model of faith for

all believers: And Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me

according to thy word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38). She believed

God's promises even when they seemed impossible. She was, indeed, full of grace

because she trusted that what God said was true and would be fulfilled. She was willing

and eager to do God's will, even though it appeared absurd, difficult or costly.

Like Mary, God’s call comes to all of us in the midst of the full spectrum of joy,

suffering, grief and new birth that is present in our own individual, family, communal,

national and global lives. May we hear what God is asking of us, present our fears

honestly and choose to put ourselves on the line for the sake of our salvation and that of

our world. We are sustained in this by the overshadowing and fruitful Spirit of God. Let

us thank Mary today for her unconditional “Yes”- and let us ask her to help us to say our

“Yes”- to God, today and for the rest of our lives.