21st Day of Lent: The Feast of Annunciation of the Lord: “How can this be?”

21^st Day of Lent:

           The Feast of

                   Annunciation

                                 of the Lord:

                                   “How can this be?”

James Martin, SJ in his recent book entitled, “Jesus, a pilgrimage”, narrates so beautifully the passage of annunciation. He says this story ‘encapsulates the progress of a person’s relationship with God. What happens to Mary happens to us’.

The relationship begins with God’s initiative entirely. God breaks into our lives in unexpected ways and begins a conversation that might happen even by a friend’s comforting words or even by a scripture reading. 

When we realize that this might be God speaking to us

 we become either grateful or fearful. 

 ‘God is paying attention to us. How could that not frighten?’ hence Mary’s reaction is ‘greatly disturbed’ according to Luke. For us it is like “Who? Me?” reaction.

   

Then comes the reassurance from God, 365 times mentioned in the Bible, like one every day of the year, “Don’t be afraid”.

In our confusion, fear and anxiety God promises us to trust in the Divine. When the angel explains all the details of her mission, Mary’s reaction is “how can this be”?  

This may be the facet of Mary’s life that intersects most with our own.

We feel inadequate to what God seems to be asking- even if we are sure that it is God who asking. This happens not only with an invitation to something wonderfully new and exciting, but also with a sudden of events that darkens life. An illness, the loss of a job, a ruptured friendship. Who hasn’t said, how can this be?’

In response to Mary, the angel says, “here is the secret- Elizabeth is pregnant. You have doubts about what God will do? Then just look at what God has already done. “

Memories of God’s activity in the past especially the awareness that God had intervened in difficult moments of your life enables us to embrace the future.

Now the confident Mary says yes let it be done to me according to your word”. “Mary says yes to a future that she does not know.

She is an example of letting God do God’s work, without trying to figure it out”. What a surprise was unfolding before her as Mary said yes and continued to say yes to God everyday of her life.

We too will be surprised at God’s surprising ways in our life when we completely make that total surrender to God’s will. ...Don’t you desire that joy for your life?

God Bless you always!
Sincerely Yours,
Rev. Fr. Cyriac Chandy Mattathilanickal, MS

Wishing you and yours A Holy Lent!

Rev. Fr. Tom Puthusseril, M.S.

Shrine Director

           Our Lady of La Salette,                              Reconciler of Sinners,                             Pray without ceasing                                         for us                                              who have recourse                                            to thee.                                                      Amen.