Do not be afraid . . .

Annunciation (detail) by Jacob Pontormo (1495-1556)

Capponi Chapel, Santa Felicita, Florence, Italy

²⁶In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." ²⁹But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³²He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." ³⁴Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" ³⁵The angel said to her, "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 holy; he will be called Son of God.³⁶And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. ³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God." ³⁸Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.  (Luke 1:26-38)

This reading from the first chapter of Luke is the appointed gospel reading for Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent. It is an account of the encounter between the messenger Gabriel and young Mary.

In our recent Advent retreat, Sister Thelma alluded to the tendency to depict Mary, in our day and age, as a wimp. Ever so meek, mild, and stripped of personality and power, Mary is frequently characterized as the obedient marionette of God. Just look at images of her in art. Mary the weakling.

Now, for a moment, imagine you have never heard this story before. For a moment, consider the incredible strength Mary mustered to meet this messenger's greeting with willingness and obedience.

Ponder these things in your heart.

Do not be afraid, says Gabriel.

The Annunciation by John Maler Collier, (1850-1934)

How can it be that God chooses to bring life, salvation, and hope to a landscape that is undeveloped or past its prime? Do you ever feel that it's too late, too much, or too frightening to release yourself into God's will for your life? Are you at least willing to be willing?

In these final Advent days, there is still time to prepare a room in our hearts for the life and light of the world, Jesus Christ. We too are favored in God's sight. Let it be with us accordingly.

The Annunciation by John William Waterhouse, 1914

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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

December 21, 2014

Prayer of the Day

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. 

With your abundant grace and might, 

free us from the sin that would obstruct your mercy, 

that willingly we may bear your redeeming love to all the world, 

for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever. Amen

Readings

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-16

Romans 16:25-27

Luke 1:26-38