Announcement
So this Angel comes along and tells Mary to "rejoice" and she was "deeply-troubled."
This discordant response really struck me this morning...
The feast of the Annunciation is kind of a big deal for the Daughters of Charity because it's the day when everyone makes their annual vows. Since they never make a perpetual vow, each of the sisters basically has to "re-up" every year. So today there was a special Mass at my house when all the sisters renewed their vows...an awkward moment where the priest and I kind of looked around like, "doo dee doo dee doo...what are we supposed to be doing during this silence."
Anyway, the Gospel reading for today is what people are pretty used to hearing during the Advent season...Angel appears to Mary, tells her she's gonna have God's child, she says ok...boom, nine months later, Christmas.
Usually, there's so much reflection and focus on the fact that Mary says "Yes" and she does say yes, and it is worthy of reflection and focus. After all, it's her willling response to God's call that makes it such a symbolic feast for vows and whatnot...but still, I couldn't help thinking "she was deeply troubled."
She didn't understand how it was going to work, she didn't really know if she would be able to handle it, she didn't know how her friends and family would react, she sure enough knew that her whole life would be different...and probably harder...and she--maybe--didn't know if she even really wanted to do it. After all, she didn't respond "rejoicing" and saying "woo-hoo! this is gonna be fun!" she said "I'm His servant. So, ok."
And she was filled with grace.
This discordant response really struck me this morning...
The feast of the Annunciation is kind of a big deal for the Daughters of Charity because it's the day when everyone makes their annual vows. Since they never make a perpetual vow, each of the sisters basically has to "re-up" every year. So today there was a special Mass at my house when all the sisters renewed their vows...an awkward moment where the priest and I kind of looked around like, "doo dee doo dee doo...what are we supposed to be doing during this silence."
Anyway, the Gospel reading for today is what people are pretty used to hearing during the Advent season...Angel appears to Mary, tells her she's gonna have God's child, she says ok...boom, nine months later, Christmas.
Usually, there's so much reflection and focus on the fact that Mary says "Yes" and she does say yes, and it is worthy of reflection and focus. After all, it's her willling response to God's call that makes it such a symbolic feast for vows and whatnot...but still, I couldn't help thinking "she was deeply troubled."
She didn't understand how it was going to work, she didn't really know if she would be able to handle it, she didn't know how her friends and family would react, she sure enough knew that her whole life would be different...and probably harder...and she--maybe--didn't know if she even really wanted to do it. After all, she didn't respond "rejoicing" and saying "woo-hoo! this is gonna be fun!" she said "I'm His servant. So, ok."
And she was filled with grace.
posted by smurp at 11:51 AM
4 Comments:
interesting
Most of life's best decisions have come from saying "alright"... at least for me annyway.
every decision is a "yes" to something and a "no" to the other options present pre-decision. it's a wonder we decide to get out of bed some days, but it's a blessing that we do. hope you are well.
Very interesting reflection.
Post a Comment
<< Home