Homily: Isaiah 7:10-14 / Luke 1:26-38
God says, “Ask for a sign, make it as high as the sky,
or as deep as the netherworld. Anything you want. Make it as outrageous as you
can imagine.” Ahaz, who was one of the worst kings they had ever had
in Israel
Yet, God does give him, and us, a sign, so ridiculous,
so impossible, and so unimaginable that it can not be mistaken. Imagine that you were a young girl, 13, 14, or 15
years old at the most, and confronted by an angel who says, “God has chosen you
to be the mother of his only begotten Son.”
What would you say to such a startling announcement?
How would you react?
The gospel shows us that Mary was greatly troubled at
what was said and that she pondered the words. How many of us have been confronted with unexpected
events and circumstances that seem to be beyond our understanding and our
comprehension. Situations that like Mary, will undoubtedly bring us
grief, dishonor, pain, and humiliation?
How are we expected to react to such an event?
How does a faithful catholic respond?
Great question! Let’s turn back to Mary for some
guidance. Well, she didn’t lash out in anger! She didn’t strike
back in retaliation; she didn’t run away, she didn’t pretend it didn’t happen. But she was confused and frightened. At this point in her life, Mary was betrothed to
Joseph but not married. In the Jewish tradition, there were three steps to a
Jewish marriage:
The First was “The Engagement” – This was often arranged by the parents through a
matchmaker when the boy and girl were children.
The Second was “The Betrothal” – which was a formal ratification of the
marriage-to-be, usually done a year before the couple was to be married.
And the Third was “The Wedding” itself – which lasted a whole week and concluded with
the consummation.
Mary and Joseph were betrothed, but not married yet. They had not had sexual relations and Mary was a
Virgin. However, in spite of this, the Angel Gabriel said that
she was to become pregnant and give birth to a son and name him Jesus. Mary was confused, and rightly so. How can this be? She had not been with a man. It doesn’t make any sense. How many situations and events come into our own lives
that just don’t seem to make any sense as well?
1.
The
death on an innocent child.
2.
The
storm or fire that takes everything.
3.
The
Divorce.
4.
The
loss of a job
5.
The
loss of a spouse
6.
Those
health issues that just won’t go away!
7.
Cancer!
1.
She
was dishonored and ridiculed by the people of her own town.
2.
She
gave birth in a dirty stable surrounded by smelly animals.
3.
She
and Joseph had to flee the country in fear of their lives.
4.
She
watched her only son, mocked, tortured, and murdered.
Do you think she completely understood what was
happening and why? I don’t think so.... and can you imagine the pain she
must have experienced. Yet, did she even complain once! So do we always have to know why something is
occurring in order to respond in faith?
Mary’s response was born out of humility and in trust
in the providence of God. The good news is that such a response is also possible
for all those who turn to God in faith and trust.
· something that seems just too great too
understand,
· too enormous to tackle,
· too painful to deal with,
Don’t run away, don’t ignore it, and don’t try to completely understand it before you act.
Act in faith, and trust, and say “May it also be done
to me!”
Let the Holy Spirit come upon you, and the power of
the Most High overshadow you, And then, keep your eyes and
your heart open to see where God is leading you, just as Mary was lead, on a journey of holiness, and a
journey toward a relationship with her son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the
world.
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