Sunday Inbox Inspirations
December 20, 2020
4th Sunday of Advent, Cycle B
The Annunciation
Today’s gospel is one of the most well-known stories in the entire Bible.
It is called the Annunciation. The angel Gabriel announces something to Mary – the word Annunciation refers to this announcement.
This passage is packed with details that are inspiring and enriching for our faith. I have chosen three of them for our reflection.
1. Mary as Disciple
The number one thing to notice is that Saint Luke presents Mary as the first and model disciple.
Just look at what happens. At the beginning of the story, the angel Gabriel greets Mary and announces what is about to take place.
Then, at the very end of the passage, Mary responds. “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.”
So, Mary 1) listens and then 2) lives out God’s message. It is helpful to think about her response in the context of a story later in Luke’s gospel.
Jesus is inside a house and someone says, “Your mother and family are outside wanting to talk with you.” And Jesus responds, “My mother and family are those who [1] listen to the Word of God and [2] live it.”
So, Jesus defines what it means to be a member of his spiritual family or a disciple – 1) listening to and 2) living his word. The significant thing is that Mary has already done this before Jesus is even born.
In fact, Mary becomes Jesus’ physical mother and forms his human family because she is the first member of his spiritual family. She is the first and model disciple.
2. Jesus As God’s Son
The next thing that stands out for me is what the angel tells Mary about the child she will bear.
The angel says: “He will be called Son of the Most High.” And then, a few verses later, Gabriel explains to Mary how this will happen.
“The power of the Most High will overshadow you.” And it is this word “overshadow” that is significant.
The Book of Genesis uses the same word “overshadow” to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in the act of creation. And, as I just said a minute ago, Mary responds to the angel: “Let it be done to me according to your word.”
Again, the Book of Genesis uses the same word or expression that Mary uses here – in Latin, “Fiat” – “Let it be done.” Genesis uses this same word to describe God’s action in creating the world.
So, the idea here with these words – “overshadow” and “Let it be done” – the idea is that God is doing a new creation – something radically new with Mary. And, of course, Gabriel gets very clear on what this newness is.
The angel says: “The child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” The newness is that this child is the Son of God, the very presence of God with us.
3. Nothing Is Impossible
My last reflection is on Gabriel’s concluding words to Mary: “Nothing will be impossible for God.”
We all know or have known relatives or friends who have been in situations that seem impossible. Maybe we ourselves have been in such situations: a serious case of cancer or Covid; an addiction or the loss of a job out; chronic anxiety or depression.
And I imagine that you have said as I have often said: “I will pray for you.” “I will remember you at Mass.”
Have you ever thought that our promise of prayer is based on what Gabriel tells Mary today? “Nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary fully affirms Gabriel’s statement and, in doing this, is a great example of faith for us. She herself knows very well that with God, all things are possible.
She invites us to trust that God will care for us and for others for whom we pray. God can do what we cannot conceive of in our own minds.
And so, we promise to pray for one another. Because “Nothing will be impossible for God.”
Fr. Michael Schleupner
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