To Mary, to Joseph, to Zechariah, to the shepherds, the angel announces these words. It is an order and a promise. A promise because whenever he tells one these words, the Lord is inviting them to do something important in His plan of salvation; it is a natural order because the sight and sound of an angel is out of the ordinary, no matter how righteous or humble one may be.
The visit of the angel to Mary bringing news of God’s plan of redemption gives man a glimpse of Mary’s greatness by her participation with the plans of God. She, a promised virgin of the Lord, is directed to be a mother. She ponders, wondering if she is to remain a virgin as well as mother of the Son of the Most High. Knowing all that will be required of her, she gives her consent. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” ( Lk1:37-38) Her fiat, freely given, she serves God in perfect obedience and perfect love- everything in accordance to His divine will. Her self-sacrifice, her devotion, her service, her physical being- all is freely given for man’s benefit. She remains physical mother to Jesus and spiritual mother to mankind. Our thanks is unlimited; our eternal future full of hope and joy.
Joseph, springing from the loins of David, awaits his savior as he awaits his bride, Mary. Awakened by the angel, he is led into the mystery of the birth of his Messiah. His plan to quietly divorce Mary, he surrenders; God’s plan will be his plan. His faith, his trust, his love pours forth into his actions. He accepts being foster father to Jesus and model of true fatherhood to man. Man, even Joseph, can only find himself when he finds Him; and then he loses himself in Him.
Zechariah, the father of John and born of the house of priests, should be open to hearing the voice of one from God. A holy and righteous man, he and his wife had long ago given up the idea of a child of their own. Elizabeth had staunchly borne the accusations she had sinned. Zechariah, is more like us: he questions; his unbelief is sinful. God is with him, guiding and supporting his efforts, and Zechariah doubts. He does not understand the meaning of: “ Do not be afraid.”
Shepherds watching over their flock, struck by the choir of heavenly voices are given the joyful news of Christ’s birth. These men, of the people of God, are the true priests of the flock. Protecting, guiding, proclaiming, ministering to the people, these men leave their comfort fields to go about the countryside evangelizing and giving glory to God.
Each answered the call: each answered yes.
Each answered the call: each answered yes.
Sometimes the angel comes to us in the middle of the night; a time when we are weak and fearful, our defenses down, and he asks us to respond to God’s plan of salvation. Man may ponder, may not fully understand all that will be required, yet our trust and love should pour forth because God is with us and we will not be afraid.
No comments:
Post a Comment