2 Samuel 7:1-5.8b-12.14a.16,
Psalm 89:2-3.4-5.27,
Romans 16:25-27,
Luke 1:26-38 Full Readings
Saint Dominic of SilosThe Yes that Wrought Our Salvation
Brethren, Mary's Yes to God in order to fulfil his plan wrought our Salvation and through her the true Messiah came to us. There have been, and still are, many people who profess to be “messiahs” and “saviours” of humanity. The readings today tell us that there is only one true Messiah: Jesus, the son of Mary. In the first reading we have seen in the prophecy of Nathan that the descendants of David will inherit an eternal kingdom. In the gospel Jesus is presented as the Messiah, the king who will sit on the throne of his father David for ever as promised in the first reading. The second reading is a song of praise to God for his wonderful works especially for sending us the Messiah.
Mary is a true hearer of the Word of God. She knows she is hearing something beyond human capability. It will surely take a miracle which surpasses all that God has done previously. Her question, "how shall this be, since I have no husband" is not prompted by doubt or skepticism and doubt like that of Zachariah, but by wonderment! She is a true hearer of the Word and she immediately responds with faith and trust. Her yes was the beginning of the new, the messianic era because she accepted to conceive and give birth to the Messiah.
Mary's prompt response of "yes" to the divine message is a model of faith for all believers. Mary believed God's promises even when they seemed impossible. She was full of grace because she trusted that what God said was true and would be fulfilled. She was willing and eager to do God's will, even if it seemed difficult or costly. Mary is the "mother of God" because God becomes incarnate when he takes on flesh in her womb. When we pray the Nicene Creed we state our confession of faith in this great mystery: "For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man".
Brethren, God gives us the grace to say "yes" to his will and to his transforming work in our lives. What is the key that unlocks the power and grace of God's kingdom in our personal lives? Faith and obedience for sure! God gives us grace and he expects us to respond with the same willing obedience and heartfelt trust as Mary did. When God commands he also gives the help and means to respond. We can either yield to his grace or resist and go our own way.
Sometimes we think we are unworthy to carry out God's mission. God asked a huge favor of Mary, and he asks huge favors from us too. Our responses can tend to differ from Mary’s incredible “yes.” We sometimes respond like St. Peter in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 5:8): “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Although we’re all sinners, we don’t want to overplay our unworthiness because we know that our “yes” is contingent not on our capacities but on God’s. Mary understood who she was. She knew she was a lowly creature, but she believed that God could work through her. She sought to understand more through her gentle question, how will this be since I have no husband? Let us also seek more fully to understand the mysteries of God so that we can better carry out his plan for our life.
Today's O Antiphon to be reflected on.
O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!
Let us Pray
Heavenly Father, you offer us abundant grace, mercy, and forgiveness through your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to live a grace-filled life as Mary did by believing in your promises and by giving you my unqualified 'yes' to your will and plan for my life. Amen
Be blessed
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