Deeper Reflection
It was a truly divine moment when Mary submitted herself completely to the Lord to be His servant and do His will. Do you think that Mary had thought through the full implications of her appointed role as the mother of Jesus, the Son of God? Was her future clear and certain to her at that point? Do you think that Mary expected her journey ahead to be easy and smooth? The answer to those questions is almost certainly “No”. In those few moments between the angel Gabriel’s words and Mary’s response, she could not have foreseen all the travails that would attend her role as Jesus’ mother. Mary simply abandoned herself to God’s will, disregarding the potential difficulties that she would have to suffer, and fully trusting God who is good, faithful, all-powerful and all wise. Deep devotion to the Lord were expressed in her words, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord…” (v.38).When God reveals His specific will for your life, you may experience all kinds of doubts, uncertainties and fears. If you clearly know the Lord’s leading, it does not necessarily follow that it will be easy for you to say to Him, “Yes, Lord, I’ll obey.” Like Mary, you must still make the choice to trust and obey God, to put your life into His hands: “…let it be to me according to Your word” (v.38). Just as Jesus consecrated Himself to do the Father’s will: “…not My will, but Yours, be done” (Lk 22:42), so must we who are disciples of Jesus.