Mary and Her Yes

First post.  Here we go!

I decided that the first real post of the blog should probably be about something really important.  While, I could focus on the nativity, crucifixion, or resurrection, I thought that Mary's yes at the Annunciation would be a good place to start (especially since I've prayed on it 3 times in the last two weeks).  These thirteen verses in chapter 1 of Luke's Gospel not only tell the story of how Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel, but truly gives in insight on how to discern God's will in our own lives.  Mary goes through 5 stages that we all need to take into consideration when making a big decision.

STEP 1-HESITATION "Mary was greatly troubled at his words." (Luke 1:29)
Now, I know what you might be thinking.  Mary didn't hesitate.  She was rock solid in her yes.  That she was.  However, we are not as solid as our Blessed Mother and more than likely will feel hesitation when asked to do something that may not be in "our plan."  It's okay to hesitate.  There is a natural feeling to step back when we are approached with something that may seem crazy (like becoming a missionary or entering into a vocation). Even Mary was troubled at what the angel was telling her.  Don't fret!


STEP 2-QUESTIONING "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34)
Gabriel has just explained to Mary that she will conceive a son and that his name will be Jesus (Luke 1:31), and "he will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32).  Naturally, Mary is going to wonder how this is possible since she has been kept pure and in the state of virginity.  When we get into a situation where we feel we are being asked to do something by God, ask questions!  It's just like the students I used to teach.  If they did not understand something, I would hope that they would ask questions. Even more, God wants to answer your questions.  If, as a man, you feel called to the priesthood and you have questions...ASK THEM!  God wants nothing more than to go where you feel uncomfortable and unsure.

STEP 3-LISTENING (Luke 1:35-37)
Here, the angel Gabriel responds to her questions by telling her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and that the power of the Most High will overshadow her.  He also reveals to her that her cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age.  Mary took the time to listen to what the angel, a messenger from God, had to say.  In our own lives, we cannot make the right decision, the decision that God wants to make without listening to him.  But Josh, what if I keep questioning and waiting but get no response?  Be patient.  God will reveal His plan to you on His own time (Let me just take a sip of my own medicine here...yep that's good). Dive into scripture.  Pray with the Psalms.  There is no better way to hear the voice of God than to rest in the word of God.  Eventually, the plan will make sense to you.

STEP 4-TRUST "I am the Lord's servant." (Luke 1:38)
We may be more familiar with Mary calling herself the handmaid of the Lord but the New International Version take on it works just as well.  Mary had to put complete trust in God, which she does flawlessly.  In this moment, she gives herself completely to the Father and trusts that whatever He has in store for her will lead her to greatness. This trust is what we need to be at peace with the decision we make.  Yeah, we can make a choice without this step, but will we really be at peace with it? I know for me personally, I am not.  The more we trust in the Lord and His plan, the easier it becomes to follow that plan and live it out in our daily lives.

STEP 5-YES "May your word to me be fulfilled." (Luke 1:38)
Mary says yes to angel.  She says yes to the Holy Spirit.  She says yes to the Son of God.  She says yes to the Father.  Because of her trust, she is able to say yes.  And without her yes...I don't even want to start thinking about that.  So for us, we have to be able to say yes as well.  Now this doesn't mean that you say yes to every possibility that comes in your way.  Missionary? YES!  Priesthood? YES!  Pope? YES!  Okay maybe the last one is a little out there but if you have the opportunity to discern whether or not to become the pope, you are a much holier man than me.  But the point is, sometimes the yes to God means a no to something else.  Only God knows where you are called to be in life and if you say yes to Him everything becomes a little more clear.

5 steps.  Hesitation, questioning, listening, trust, and the yes.  The next time you're faced with a certain pull towards something remember Mary and her yes.  Follow her lead and you won't go wrong. God bless!

In Christ,
Josh