Reflection for the Vigil of the Fourth Sunday of Advent 2008
December 20, 2008

by Micaela Randolph, OSB

Needless to say, we in America have experienced a historic election. Our first black president! Lots of new, energized voters. A world awash in good feelings. With great confidence and humility, president-elect Obama described this election as a defining moment for America. A moment that was deemed impossible, unbelievable and even dangerous. Yes, it was a defining moment for our new president-elect but, even more so, it defined us and our country. It was a new moment for America and for the whole world.

As we listen to the familiar and ancient story of the angel Gabriel’s dialogue with Mary, we are focused immediately on another moment in time, a defining moment which defines all other moments. Whether or not the ancient promise of a savior would come true in history depended on the moment and Mary’s response. This intimate communication of God with humankind suspended time. This moment would mark the end of waiting, the end of the old and the beginning of the new.

“Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” The angel Gabriel did not address Mary by her name but by the phrase, “full of grace”. This greeting confused her. But Mary was more than her name, even more than her person. She was us and all those called by God to make a dwelling place within our world for the Christ. The angel continued. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and overshadow you”. The overshadowing of the Holy Spirit was no small thing in the history of the Jewish people. It meant one was about to become a prophet and was charged with bringing the Word of God to the people. It meant that life as one knew it was over. The only life the prophet had was to proclaim God’s truth.

And uniquely, in Mary’s case, she would not just proclaim God’s truth but actually become, in a very human way, the dwelling place for God. What about Joseph and all the people she loved and called family. In her tiny village everyone knew everyone else and many were related to one another. Her “yes” would have untold consequences. From here on out, everything would change which was greatly troubling. The angel continued. Mary was to call her son, Jesus. He was to be the savior of his people and would be great and mighty and his kingdom would have no end.

The invitation seemed to be an impersonal announcement that did not focus on Mary but pointed only to what would come to pass if she agreed to God’s favor and choice. She realized that something radical was about to happen here. God desired to move closer than ever before, into our bodies, our hearts and our souls. Once inside, in the body and heart of Mary, God would be wedded forever to the children born of water and the spirit, of flesh and blood.

As heaven and earth waited, Mary said, “Be it done to me according to your word”. The angel left. Mary took the words of the angel to heart, so single-mindedly that the Word became flesh in her, right then and there. It was done, irreversible, time had been altered. A young Jewish maiden from the backwater town of Nazareth had now become mother, maidservant, prophet, bearer of hope and light to the nations.

As we reflect on Mary’s experience of doubt and confusion, but also on her amazement, her humility, her trust and her obedience, we see more deeply into the depths of Mary’s heart. She trusted God completely.

What about us who live in this irreversible time? What about us as the recipients of Mary’s trust in God? How is this ancient story ever new in us today? What defines us?

We read in Scripture that Mary pondered all these things in her heart. Pondering God’s word in our hearts is foundational to our lives as monastics. Baptism and profession were absolutely defining moments for us and the pondering of God’s word in our hearts is what continues to define us and our community.

As the Holy Spirit pierced the body and soul of Mary, we too, must be vulnerable to God’s word. We must allow it to pierce us, so like Mary, we too, hear the cry of the poor, that we anguish over the children of the world who suffer from war, neglect and abandonment, that we cry out at the outrageous treatment of prisoners, the elderly and the vulnerable.

With Mary, let us faithfully ponder God’s word. Let us taste it, let us devour it, surrender to it as it continues define us, so that with Mary, we too, become mother, maid-servant, prophet, bearer of hope and light for the world.


© 2008 Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica
Atchison, Kansas