March 25
Readings: Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38
Today we celebrate the feast of the Aunnunciation – when the angel Gabriel came to Mary and invited her into her role as the mother of Jesus.
There is so much in this reading that we could focus our reflections on (in fact, entire books have been written on this passage alone) but here are a few things that stand out for me:
- When God comes to announce something, there’s usually a “be not afraid” associated with it because one of our primal responses is to be afraid of something we don’t understand or can’t explain. So God’s angels start with the basics…
- Mary has some doubts from the get go. I think any authentic spiritual encounter gets us wondering what just happened/is happening because it doesn’t fit within our known paradigms and is inviting us into a deeper reality.
- Mary is an active agent in this process. She has decision making capacity and weighs her options. God does not force this upon her. She chooses it. And she pushes back on God asking questions and making her concerns known.
- I also reflect on the idea that Mary was in a place to be able to receive what was coming her way. Just last night, our Tuesday night speaker, Edwina Gateley, talked about the critical importance of cultivating a contemplative life of prayer, solitude and withdrawal. Edwina said these disciplines are prerequisites for understanding our own call, and it’s my sense that Mary had a rich inner life that enabled her to respond.
- Mary was just a teen in this story yet was chosen for the central role. Let us not ever discount the profound role that young people have in every great spiritual story and their abilities to engage spiritually. For all we know, if she had been “older and wiser” she might have said, “No!”
- She finally releases the decision and falls into God.
(No doubt, there’s more we could reflect upon here, and I’d invite you to write your own reflections in the comments.)
And while Mary had her own particular role and call in God’s plan, we have ours. Part of the question, however, is are we able to discern ours. Granted it may not be as obvious and dramatic. I’d submit that few of us have such dramatic encounters. Yet we all hear God’s whispers if we are prepared for them.
For today, take some time for prayer, silence and solitude. Listen deeply for what may be emerging in your life. Is God asking you to bear something right now, take something up, risk something, follow a path that does not compute, lean in to something, attend to someone, give birth to something new or offer yourself in some way? Just stay with it. Talk to God about it. And do not be afraid. God is with you in this process.
9 Comments
Judene
Thank you Mike! This was a wonderful essay, and that last paragraph was a much-needed reminder for me to trust that even when things are unpredictable and potentially scary, God is there to hold our hand and comfort us about the unknown that lies ahead. Had Mary become concerned about the “consequences” of her accepting God’s invitation, she might have said, “No thanks! Knock on someone else’s door!” I, for one, become very anxious when I cannot see what’s coming around the next bend in my life, and I fret and stress over all the worst-case scenarios and what-ifs. Mary is a good example of someone who didn’t overthink about what lay ahead on her journey, she simply trusted God would be with her every step of the way and give her what she needed to fulfill her mission. I’ll try to remember Mary’s trust in God the next time I start to worry about what lies ahead of me.
Have a warm and happy Thursday Mike! And thanks again for providing us all with these inspiring reflections!
Mike Boucher Author
thanks, Judene, for your reflection. really appreciate what you gave us to think about.
Sarah Brownell
I recognize that prayer, solitude and withdrawl is essential, but I am not sure how to make it happen as a working mom (especially with a partner whose health is compromised). The closest I get is reading these reflections for a few minutes and the 7 minutes I’m in the shower…School and work at home has made the lack of solitude and peace more problematic, making work take 5x longer. Open to suggestions!
Mike Boucher Author
Sarah, I have so appreciated your honesty and real-ness this Lent. My sense is that God can work with the 7 minutes in the shower, the minutes of reflection you offer and visits you daily in your parenting and care for your partner. I also know that many people have situations where, like you, we lack quiet time, private space or solitude of any kind. The needs of others and schedules press in on us. I honestly believe that God knows our hearts and responds within the contexts that we have. There will come a time when more space opens up…perhaps for now continue to do the good and holy work of attending to the people close to you and offering them your love and tell God that she gets 7 minutes in the shower, the time during these meditations and while you’re sleeping – so She better make it count!
Sarah Brownell
Thanks Mike, I will tell God this :). I feel like there are just so many requirements to be a decent person these days and no way to really meet them all. I’m supposed to excercise, cook healthy meals, garden, compost, spend quality family time, sleep at least 8 hours, practice mindfulness, pray daily, keep a journal, keep up on the news, read (both to my kid and on my own), take time for myself, have a date night with my husband, write my congress people, volunteer, take care of my neighbors…all in addition to working (which is more like 50 hours not 40), commuting, and running my kid around…really this is not possible. I haven’t seen a movie not by Disney in 10 years… Let’s fight for the 4 hour workday (with the 40-50 hour pay)!
Barbara Simmons
Mary was asked by God to take on an immense task. She was free to accept or refuse. She chose to accept with grace and dignity. We may not realize how much courage it took for her to accept the message from the Angel Gabriel that she would bear a son who would be called Jesus. So as we reflect on what God wants of us, let us pray for not only His guidance and awareness but also for the courage to carry out what we are asked to do.
Mike Boucher Author
I think you’re spot on, Barb. It took a lot of courage and may we be given the same grace to accept what is ours to do.
Kathy Heaton
I love the saying “Let go and let God”. The problem is when I try to do that, I always go quietly back and take it back I have time to do all those “things “ that I feel I should be doing and yet I waste so much of my time. I have now, since Lent, decided to unplug for an hour each evening. No phone, no internet and no playing games on my phone. Instead I read your blog, read some spiritual things and try to just be. I am not always successful but I am trying. I would like to continue that after Easter as well. Thanks so much Mike.
Mike Boucher Author
Kathy, what a powerful practice to unplug for an hour!
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