Wednesday March 25, 2015

The Annunciation of the Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Luke 1.26–38

Annunciation by He Qi

The Gospel of Luke tells us the story of angel Gabriel visiting Mary and greeting her as a woman favoured by God who will birth Jesus.   

Many words and images have been used over the centuries to describe Mary's "yes" to Gabriel. Sometimes she is described and pictured as submissively - and even passively - going along with the angel's announcement.  But listen to the interchange - for this is not a one-way communication - between the angel and the woman.

Gabriel greets and announces; Mary questions.  She is "perplexed" and "pondered what sort of greeting this might be", and she asks, "How can this be?".

Gabriel responds to Mary's question - sort of; Mary responds with a "yes".

Jan Richarson, artist, author, and minister offers this reflection on Mary's yes:  

Mary’s yes to Gabriel, her assent to God, her willingness to make a home for the divine within her own self: these all give the lie to a history that has too often depicted her as meek and mild. Her response to God, and the work that she takes up, are the actions of a prophet, in the ancient Hebrew sense of it: one who recognizes the presence of God in the world, who points it out to others, who does not give up hope that the people will come to know God. Meekness and mildness are not enough to sustain Mary in the prophetic work God has called her to do.  From adventdoor.com/2008/12/19/home-for-the-holidays/

You might want to ponder the painting of the annunciation by He Qi and consider some of the following questions.  
How does the painting speak to you of the encounter between Gabriel and Mary in the moments between Gabriel's announcement and Mary's yes? What might Mary be pondering?  What might Gabriel?
Is God inviting you to say "yes" to something today?  
What sustains you in the work God calls you to do?

Marilyn Malton