Such a joyful dialogue we remember and celebrate! The Messiah approaches, and with Mary’s freely given assent, the stage is set for His coming.
The entire recorded interaction between God’s messenger and the Mother of God is marked by simplicity, goodwill, and mutual openness. For how revolutionary the content of their conversation was, it was remarkably direct! By reflecting on both Gabriel and Mary’s words and actions, we can grow in our ability to graciously embrace the other in this holy season, even when the setting is unexpected.
Gabriel, appearing to Mary, seeks first to put her at ease, saying, “Hail (rejoice!) Mary... The Lord is with you… Do not be afraid.” It is the Lord’s presence, melting our fear and bringing us joy, that allows His invitations to sink deep into our hearts, and it’s there that we can respond to Him as our true selves! The angel serves as a model of patience for us, tactfully explaining how Mary would conceive Jesus and waiting for her reply. In contrast to the hurried culture that so characterizes our age, Gabriel allowed his speed to match the questions and wonderments of another. In slowing down to the speed of grace, we can more readily hear the Holy Spirit’s loving prompting for us, and for those of others.
Mary, encountering the angel and his greeting (an intense experience to be sure!), “pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” Our past disappointments and betrayals can keep us from taking the words seriously, even the words of truth and encouragement that others address to us. It can be like a wall erected to protect us from the bad, that ultimately impedes the good. We would do well to evaluate in the light of God’s gaze, where no walls are necessary, all our experiences, relationships, and the words of others. It is in that place that, like Mary, we can take into ourselves all that is true, good, and beautiful that others say to us.
