Gospel Passage: Luke 1:28-36

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 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.

Introductory Prayer: Mother of God and my mother, open my heart to the will of God as you so perfectly exemplified by your fiat. Take my hand and lead me today in this journey of faith where the Lord is leading me.

1. Do not be afraid.

Fear has a tremendous capacity to disarm the apostle. It is one of the best weapons of the devil. Mary felt fear at the words of the angel but she did not remain with the temptation. She immediately dismisses it and places focus back upon God. God knows the great things we are capable of doing in Him. How many would be apostles fall for this snare of the devil convincing us that we will not have the resolve, natural gifts, or capacity to follow through with the marvelous things He wants to work through us? Give the Holy Spirit the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he is doing.

2. Let it be.

How many times have we found ourselves over our heads in respect to what we can do? Its a very human experience, and Mary felt the same. Gods always seems to be asking for more than we are prepared to give. Perhaps this is because he wants us to realize that all things come through him. When I feel insecure before the demands of God I need to imitate Marys let it be. Her uncanny strength before difficulties is in her faith that, in his name all things are possible. Trust in the Lord and he will act.

3. School of Mary

The union of mother and child must have been a very strong bond. Mary shared her flesh and blood with our Lord. Her heart beat along side his heart. Above all though, the union of Mary was more than just physical; but a communion of wills. Mary knew the heart of the Christ child, because she was attentive always to the will of the Father; and the will of the Father and the son are always one. This is the school of Mary, she teaches us to place our heart in the heart of Christ. Where there is a communion of wills, we become true sons of Mary, and true sons of God. Seek first the will of God and all else will be added unto me.

Conversation: Father dismiss from my heart any fear, doubts or insecurities before the daily challenges of living my faith. I want to place my eyes back upon your strength, recalling that I will face the challenges ahead of me not alone but in you, whom all things are made possible.

Questionnaire:

1. How much more could I do for the Lord by dismissing my limitations and putting a greater emphasis on the action of the Holy Spirit through me?

2. Am I detached from the parameters which I put on Gods action, to believe that He can act in ways beyond my immediate understanding?

3. How much do I make Mary part of my life to learn from her attitudes before Gods will? Is she for me the model of all the virtues of the heart of Christ?