Lk 1:26-38
26The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.30Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32He 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, 33and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35And 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. 36And 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; 37for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38Mary 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.
Reflection:
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Real soldiers, they say, when asked by their officers to jump, do not question the command or complain that it is too high or risky. Their answer is, “From what floor should I jump, sir?”
Here is the “General” of the whole universe, the God of all creation, asking a young “soldier” to carry in her womb and give flesh to the Son of God. After one clarifying question, she answers, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Mary sees that this is not about playing or praying, not even about her engagement to Joseph. The Lord is asking her to take a leap of faith. And she makes the jump.
Christmas is a time not only for jumping with joy but also for jumping into healing our relationships. We may need to make a big leap into caring for and sharing with people. Mother Earth, like many other causes, is asking us to jump in and protect her.
Make a firm resolve to finish the Simbang Gabi Masses.
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