Thursday, December 20, 2018

Thursday of the Third Week in Advent

Readings for Today

All Saints for Today

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:34-38

As we were given the example of Zechariah yesterday, so today we are given the witness of our Blessed Mother. And her witness is one of perfect faith!

What is her response? “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” We traditionally speak of this as her great “fiat” (yes) to God!

One thing we see within these words is that our Blessed Mother is offering her complete consent to something that she does not understand. The archangel gives a brief explanation to her but, if you honestly analyze this situation, what the angel says is beyond belief for most people. It’s also fair to conclude that the archangel’s explanation was not what convinced our Blessed Mother. She didn’t listen to these words, analyze them, consider how likely they were or were not, and then decide if she would believe. No, she listened, pondered, and then immediately consented to the words spoken. “Let it be done to me according to your word” she said. She didn’t say, “Let it be done to me insofar as I understand what you mean.” Our Blessed Mother’s faith was one that knew the truth without having to fully understand it. This is a gift!

Reflect, today, upon your own knowledge of the truth. Are you able to consent to the will of God and the truths of God without fully understanding them? Do you trust God more than you trust your own human reason? Are you willing to move forward in life by faith rather than by your limited human reason alone? Strive to imitate the pure faith-knowledge of our Blessed Mother. She knew the truth because it was spoken in her heart. And as she listened, she consented and embraced the holy will of God. We must do the same.

Lord, I desire to trust You with my whole mind, heart, soul and strength. Help me to always hear You speak and to respond with complete faith and generosity. Lord, may I imitate the perfect faith of Your mother by praying always with her, ‘let it be done to me according to Your word.’ Mother Mary, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.

More Gospel Reflections

Divine Mercy Reflections

Advent Resources