God Loves Us
Read Luke 1:26-38, followed by these words from Kathleen Norris.
“We all need to be told that God loves us, and the mystery of the Annunciation reveals an aspect of that love. But it also suggests that our response to that love is critical.
Zechariah and Mary
A few verses before the angel appears to Mary in the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel, another annunciation occurs; an angel announces to an old man, Zechariah, that his equally aged wife is to bear a son who will “make ready a people prepared for the LORD” (John the Baptist) . . .
Zechariah says to the angel, 'How will I know that this is so?' which is a radically different response from the one Mary makes. She says 'How can this be?
Like any of the prophets, she asserts herself before God, saying 'Here am I.'
There is no arrogance, however, but only holy fear and wonder.
Mary proceeds — as we must do in life — making her commitment without knowing much about what it will entail or where it will lead.
The Mystery of God
I treasure this story because it forces me to ask:
When the mystery of God’s love breaks through into my consciousness, do I run from it?
Do I retreat into facile cliches, the popular but false wisdom of what 'we all know,' or am I 'virgin' enough to respond from my deepest, truest self, and say something new, a 'yes' that will change me forever?"
Reflection:
Take a moment to ask yourself these same questions and if possible write out your answers. Take some time to meditate on the reality and the mystery of God’s amazing love for you — a love that has the power to change you every time you say “yes” to Him!
Kathleen Norris is the award-winning poet, writer, and author of The New York Times bestsellers The Cloister Walk, Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer's Life, Dakota: A Spiritual Geography, Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith, and The Virgin of Bennington.
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