Friday 20 December 2019
Day of penance
Isaiah 7:10-14. Psalm 23(24):1-6. Luke 1:26-38.
Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory – Psalm 23(24):1-6.
‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.’
For Mary, the angel’s message is a blessing, albeit a blessing in disguise. It places her in a very difficult position – socially, culturally, religiously, personally. ‘She was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be’. She a Virgin mother? Impossible to contemplate! Mary has to trust this interior movement in her heart and ‘go with it’. And she does. Mary took an incredible leap of faith in accepting the angel’s message. That is why her story is so wonderful. Despite her immediate concerns, she places her life into God’s hands: ‘Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.’ If only we too could be as receptive to God’s plans for ourselves. Let us pray that we may grow to accept the difficulties and challenges that come with faith knowing that we too are conforming to God’s marvellous design.
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