Advent Daily Reflections Header

 



Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
[link removed]

 

In today's gospel we hear the beautiful story of Mary's
fiat... her "yes" to God's will.  As I
read through the gospel, there was one
line that stood out to me: "But Mary said to the angel,
'how can this be...?'"

I have often felt a little twinge of guilt in the times I
have questioned God's will for my life. But here was Mary, born
without
original sin, the most holy woman who has walked this earth, and she,
who had
never sinned, dare questioned the will of God. She posed the question
not in a
defiant way, but more as someone who is seeking answers. Through
Mary's humble question
to the angel, she taught us that the Lord welcomes our
questions.   

I myself am a questioner...sometimes to the annoyance of those
around me.  I feel like I am constantly
asking God for reassurance that I am doing His will in my personal
life, my
work life, my social life, and so on.  But
we must be careful to not become anxious with our questions. 
When we become anxious, it can be easy to hold
onto our questions tightly in our search for answers, instead of
entrusting
them to God.  In the next line of the
Gospel, we hear the archangel Gabriel encouraging Mary to trust:
 "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.'" And Mary trusted.  

My prayer for each of us as we enter the last week of Advent
is that we each experience the peace and joy that comes with trusting
in our Lord.  The angel Gabriel said it best; "Do not be
afraid...the Lord is with you."

 

Theresa Chamblee is the Director of Social Concerns for the
Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Indiana.  She
is also a member of the Catholic Charities USA Parish Social Ministry
Team.

 

 

 




View this message in your browser. 
[link removed]

Forward this message.
Update your email preferences.
[link removed]
[link removed]