Or tragic or traumatic events happen that darken our futures, and once again we know that this is God's will for us - and we feel frightened, inadequate to walk into certain pain.
Mary faced a call from God, given to her by one of God's messengers, - a call to an unknown future. One of the first things the angel Gabriel said to her was "Do not be afraid." She was as frightened as we are when God suddenly pays attention to us. Fr, James Martin, S.J., in his wonderful book "Jesus: A
Pilgrimage," reminds us of who Mary really was:
"First, she was a woman. Second, she was young. Third, she was most likely poor and living in an insignificant town. Finally, she was a Jew living in a land ultimately ruled by the Roman Empire. Taken together, Mary can be seen as a figure with little power. For a more contemporary image, think of God appearing to a young girl in a small village in Africa."
The angel explained that Mary would bear a son, who would be called "Jesus" and who would be Son of the Most High. He would inherit the throne of his ancestor David and rule over the house of Jacob. Of his kingdom there would be no end.
Notice that the angel does not give Mary practical details of this future; a curtain of uncertainty hangs over it, as it hangs over our own futures. In many ways, Mary would be "going in blind," as we often are.
Mary, a virgin, simply asks how this can be; the angel's explanation is mysterious: the power of the Most High will overshadow her, and her child will be the Son of God.
And the angel reminds her of how God is working mysteriously even now, how nothing is impossible with God. Her elderly, barren cousin Elizabeth is already six months pregnant.
Then the angel waits for a very independent Mary's response. As Fr. Martin notes, " Newly confident, Mary says 'yes.' No one coerces her. And she was free to say 'no.' Mary also makes her decision without appealing to a man. She doesn't ask Joseph for permission. Nor does she tell the angel that she must consult with her father. The young woman living in a patriarchal time makes a decision about the coming king. Someone with little power agrees to bring the powerful one into the world: 'Let it be with me according to Your Word.'"
Poet Denise Levertov highlights Mary's independent courage in her exquisite poem "Annunciation." She says, in part:
"Arrived on solemn grandeur of great wings,
the angelic ambassador, standing or hovering,
whom she acknowledges, a guest. But we are told of meek
obedience. No one mentions
courage.
The engendering Spirit
did not enter her without consent.
God waited. She was free
to accept or to refuse, choice
integral to humanness."
(Later Levertov says)
"Called to a destiny more momentous
than any in all of Time,
she did not quail,
only asked
a simple 'How can this be?'
and gravely, courteously,
took to heart the angel's reply,
perceiving instantly
the astounding ministry she was offered: to bear in her womb
Infinite weight and lightness; to carry
in hidden, finite inwardness,
nine months of Eternity; to contain
in slender vase of being,
the sum of power -
in narrow flesh,
the sum of light.
Then bring to birth,
push out into air, a Man-child
needing, like any other,
milk and love - but who was God."
What Annunciations does God offer us? What opportunities to birth Christ anew into the world through our wombs of grace, our words and actions living conduits of his Gospel of love? When our wills join with His Will, we too are re-birthed into someone new, someone more perfectly who we are than who we were before. All it takes is our humble 'yes.' All it takes is courage. Trust in God. The milk of human kindness. And love.
Mysteriously, the Universe will be changed by our choice to move freely, courageously, and lovingly forward into the future which is God's Will for us. We may feel inadequate. But nothing is impossible with God!