Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Readings of the Day

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.

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