Matthew and Luke tell us the events leading to the birth of Jesus. Some of us have read these verses many times; for others of us, it's the first time. Six months apart, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and then to Mary. To both of them he said a son was going to be born. Zacharias responded with disbelief. Under the same circumstances, most of us would have reacted in the same manner. A young, betrothed, virgin does not react with disbelief but questioned why she was being addressed in this manner, then questioned how, and then assurance. So be it! Never giving any consideration to the reality of the very good possibilty of being stoned to death. She knew God would protect her. Put yourself in Mary's sandals: She is approached by a total stranger, told she is favored by God, then told she is going to become pregnant with the Son of God. Can we come up with a crazier scenario for not believing it's God talking to me? We question if we can do what God is asking of us? Many times we are like Zacharias and respond with complete and total disbelief. It is the disbelief that silences Zecharias until the birth of his son John. It is our disbelief that silences us, that cripples us with inaction. Mary believed Gabriel immediately. Federica Mathewes-Green in the book, Lost Gospel of Mary says: "It is this same woman, so holy and God-loving, so real and human, who is lauded with extravagant praise. She is held up as the example for all Christians to imitate. She is honored for one particular moment in her holy life: she said yes to God." Mary was an ordinary woman who became extraordinary by saying "Yes" to God. Mary teaches us to surrender ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually to God and God will give us the necessary tools to complete His assignment.
Joseph hearing of Mary's pregnancy was also filled with questions: I didn't, then who? What do I do now? He couldn't believe Mary would be unfaithful, but she was pregnant. I don't want her stoned, but how can I marry her now? I'll be the laughinstock of the whole village if I marry her? Lord, what do I do? Help me here!! We know well how Joseph feels. The circumstances may be different but the questions are the same. We have been in this very same situation. We are told, "It is God!!" But if you follow through with it, people are going to think your crazy. But, just a minute, God didn't leave Joseph with questions and He's not going to leave us with questions. We need to ask. We need to converse with Him. We must earnestly seek God. We must be completely open to receiving God's answer. When Joseph was given the complete picture by the angel he no longer cared what others thought, he knew what he had to be done. Joseph surrendered physically, emotionally and spiritually to God.and God gave him the necessary tools to complete His assignment.
Once surrendered, Mary and Joseph were given the strengeh, the tenacity, the courage necessary to birth God's Son. Mary and Joseph, ordinary people able to perform an extraordinary feat by saying "Yes" to God. This Advent Season chosoe to say "Yes" to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment