"We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice." Pope Paul VI.
In The Catholic Times: Remain Here in Prayer column we are asked to meditate on the Bible verse: Luke 1:26-38 Jesus' birth announcement— The grace to grow in inner freedom as Mary did.
Prayer Points:
1. With God's great love for all people in my heart, I contemplate the scene where the Most Holy Trinity sends the angel Gabriel to Mary. Picture the humble village of Nazareth, and think of the Holy Trinity contemplating it. As I watch what Mary is doing, I vividly picture the expression on her face and imagine what she is thinking.
2. I imagine myself as Mary and enter into the drama of the Bible. I picture myself in Mary's house. At that time, I am surprised to receive a sudden visit from an angel. I open myself to Mary's experience of amazement, fear, confusion, wonder, and, ultimately, willing obedience to the Word of God. With Mary, I give the consent of my heart, obeying the word of God that invites me.
3. Contemplate the scene where the angel Gabriel greets Mary through the eyes of God. Then I immerse myself in the scene, read the feelings expressed in her face and eyes, observe and contemplate Mary's movements and actions, and wonder where her feelings come from.
4. The angel Gabriel said: "The Holy Spirit will come down on you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you." —Therefore, listen carefully to what is said— "The child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God" (v. 35). Let these words come deep into me. Imagine the presence of God covering you. I try to let this experience of God's presence gently penetrate me. And imagine waiting with God for Mary's answer.
5. God invites Mary's cooperation in the mystery of his Incarnation. As Mary did when she offered herself up, she said: "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say." (v38) And as I repeat these words over and over again when I get a feeling, I try to dwell on that feeling. Even if she could have said “no,” Mary is free to say “yes.” Recognize that “yes” here is not “yes by ecstasy” but “yes by risking her life” in a situation where she knows that “she will be stoned to death” if she becomes pregnant. As we marvel at the inner freedom of Our Lady to say “Yes,” willing to lay down her life. I wonder if I can do the same.
6. Mary's desire to know and do God's will, isn't she thinking of greater things for God? The way to understand God's will is to understand God's will with "confidence through feeling" and be able to let go of one's own will and be willing to risk our lives to do God's will. The writer wonders how willing we are to do God's will at the expense of our own. And how interested we are in knowing the will of God.
