From the Gospel according to Luke 1:26–38
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He 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, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He 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, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”
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. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And 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; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
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. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And 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; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary 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.
Saying Yes to God’s Plan
The scene in today’s Gospel is incredibly beautiful and gentle. It really moves you. We see Mary standing before the angel Gabriel, who announces God’s plan to her and asks for her consent to carry it out. And we see how she responds by accepting God’s will. From this scene, we learn from our Mother how to be ready to carry out God’s plan for us. It’s essential to live in God’s grace, to stay watchful, prayerful, and silent, and to be attentive so we can hear God speaking to us through the circumstances of our lives. God speaks to us through everything that happens to us. And even when His plan feels bigger than us, we’re called to trust it without questioning it. Mary doesn’t ask why it has to be this way; she asks, “How will this be?” She doesn’t try to delay or change God’s plan, she places her full trust in Him, just as she does with that life-changing “let it be done to me according to your word.”
God has a beautiful plan of salvation for our marriage. He has prepared a unique, one-of-a-kind adventure for my husband and me, so that together we may reach heaven and enjoy His Presence and Love forever. He has dreamed something great for us from all eternity, but He doesn’t want to impose it on us. On the contrary, He wants our yes to make it happen. Gently, He asks us: Do you want to welcome My plan of redemption for your marriage?
And how do I respond? What is our response to God’s plan? Do I prefer my own plan, with my own criteria, reasons, and sense of security? Or do I trust You, Lord? Here I am, your servant; let it be done in me according to your will.
And how do I respond? What is our response to God’s plan? Do I prefer my own plan, with my own criteria, reasons, and sense of security? Or do I trust You, Lord? Here I am, your servant; let it be done in me according to your will.
Applied to married life:
Alfie: The doctor confirmed that what I have is a degenerative disease. And I keep thinking, after all these years of working so hard to raise the kids, just now that things were finally calming down and we could start enjoying life a bit… this really sucks.
Annie: But we’re together, right?
Alfie: Yeah, but why is this happening to us now?
Annie: And when do you think would be the right time? Alfie, that’s not the question. The real question is: How are we going to face this? First of all, we need to thank God for everything He’s given us all these years. Don’t you think?
Alfie: Yes, you’re right. We’ve been really blessed, and we’ve received so many graces.
Annie: And next, we need to see how we’re going to offer this new season to God. We have to accept that what He allows is what’s best for us, even if we don’t understand it right now. We have to trust Him. To unite our sacrifice with His, so that it has redemptive value for us, for our children, for the rest of our family, and for others too. To carry it with joy, because if the Lord allows it, it’s part of His plan, and He wants to bring something very good out of it for us. Don’t you think?
Alfie: Carry it with joy? That feels impossible.
Annie: Of course it’s possible. I know couples who are going through similar situations. They’re offering it to the Lord, and it’s becoming a source of conversion for others. And they’re happy! What really matters is knowing what the Lord wants from us in this situation, and doing it, fulfilling His will.
Alfie: You’re right, my love. We have to trust God’s plan for us.
Annie: Then let’s live this trial to the fullest! together… in the Lord!
Mother,
teach us to always say Yes, like you, to God’s plan, even when we don’t understand it. Blessed and glorious are you, Mother! May the Lord be praised forever!