Day 12: The Beautiful “Yes”
When Angel Gabriel swooped down on Mary and told her she was to the Mother of God, Mary asked him a total of one question (“I’ve never had sex before. How is this even possible?”). She then carefully listened to the Angel who assured her that nothing was impossible with God. Her response appears almost instantaneous, beautifully and simply written in the Bible:
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your Word.” (Luke 1:38)
Mary did not weep (“And Mary, choked up with tears, replied…”), Mary did not ask any other questions (And Mary asked the Angel, “Am I really a handmaid of the Lord?”), Mary did not express Joy (“And Mary smiled, saying…”), excitement (“Mary cried out…”) or anxiety (“And Mary, worried, said”). Mary just faithfully submitted to the will of God, not knowing what exactly she was getting into. It was an untainted and Beautiful “Yes”.
I can’t imagine ever responding gracefully as she did. That’s what make Mama Mary such an amazing Woman. My mind would have been so full of questions. Today, was a challenging day. In fact, I have a lot more questions than I had at this beginning of Advent. However, just as Mama Mary carried out her “Yes” until the very end, so shall I…
Lord, Your Plans are wondrously Greater than anything that I can ever conceive; make my heart poised to receive them. Replace my questions with Awe and Reverence of what’s to come and allow my soul to truly rejoice in You.
