But I came across this song sometime last year, a reflection on Mary's "yes" to God. I love it because of how it was able to put me in Mary's shoes, understand a little of how she might have felt when the Angel Gabriel put the proposition (proposed?) to her.
What moves me the most is the way that I’d like to think Mary would have prayed to God about this. The account in Luke doesn’t give a time frame of how quickly Mary made her decision, but I’m sure God would have allowed her time enough to discern her answer.
In particular, I like the way that in the song, Mary
- Confides her deepest feelings to God: “I admit that I am scared; I was really not prepared” and “It is one thing for me to walk into this glorious unknown; But another, Lord, to think that I must do it alone”
- Tells God about Joseph and her fear of losing him if she accepts His proposal: “But I ask your reassurance for the love that found me: His name is Joseph; he is a carpenter. I believe our hearts are destined for each other”
- Accepts God’s proposal/will for her, despite her fears: “But let the world think what they will; For today your promise is fulfilled” and “So you have chosen this for me; I accept it willingly”
- Asks God honestly for what her heart desires: “But as for him, I cannot tell; I can only pray you've chosen him as well” and “If he goes, life will not end; But I could truly use a friend"
- Considers the feelings of those around her as part of her discernment: “And when you find him, please tell him gently; This is something I can't think he'll understand; Oh send your angels to sing to him”
Dearest Mary,
Thank you for your example of humility, love for our God and complete trust in His will. Thanks also for being such a good mum for Jesus and good wife to Joseph, so that He was able to grow up in such a loving family.
Please pray for me. Please ask the Holy Spirit to be with me always and inspire me so that I may remember to include God when making my decisions, and that I will learn to discern the way that you have.
Please pray that I may learn to trust God as you did, especially when I have to make hard decisions that will affect those around me. Please pray that I will remember always that our Father loves me and only ever wants the best for me.
Please continue to pray for all of us as we step through life – to appease the anger that we incite in our Father as we make mistakes, and continue to guide us so that we might end up with you and your son at the end of our journey.
Posts
Hail Mary,
ReplyDeleteFull of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus...
Mary truly is a great example to us, a shining testament of the beauty of God.
I was going to put down some more thoughts, but then realised that Benedict XVI, in his speech before the angelus at WYD, had expressed it most beautifully. So here is an excerpt from there (http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/sydney08/resource.php?res_id=658):
This scene is perhaps the pivotal moment in the history of God’s relationship with his people. During the Old Testament, God revealed himself partially, gradually, as we all do in our personal relationships. It took time for the chosen people to develop their relationship with God. The Covenant with Israel was like a period of courtship, a long engagement. Then came the definitive moment, the moment of marriage, the establishment of a new and everlasting covenant. As Mary stood before the Lord, she represented the whole of humanity. In the angel’s message, it was as if God made a marriage proposal to the human race. And in our name, Mary said yes.
In fairy tales, the story ends there, and all “live happily ever after”. In real life it is not so simple. For Mary there were many struggles ahead, as she lived out the consequences of the “yes” that she had given to the Lord. Simeon prophesied that a sword would pierce her heart. When Jesus was twelve years old, she experienced every parent’s worst nightmare when, for three days, the child went missing. And after his public ministry, she suffered the agony of witnessing his crucifixion and death. Throughout her trials she remained faithful to her promise, sustained by the Spirit of fortitude. And she was gloriously rewarded.
Dear young people, we too must remain faithful to the “yes” that we have given to the Lord’s offer of friendship. We know that he will never abandon us. We know that he will always sustain us through the gifts of the Spirit. Mary accepted the Lord’s “proposal” in our name. So let us turn to her and ask her to guide us as we struggle to remain faithful to the life-giving relationship that God has established with each one of us. She is our example and our inspiration, she intercedes for us with her Son, and with a mother’s love she shields us from harm.
"Please continue to pray for all of us as we step through life – to appease the anger that we incite in our Father as we make mistakes, and continue to guide us so that we might end up with you and your son at the end of our journey. "
ReplyDeleteI don't think God the Father would be angry as such so much as sad...
after all, in the story of the prodigal son, the Father is the one who is not angry, but expectant and hopeful that the son that he loves will come back to him! (and daughter too)!
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=15&version=31&context=chapter