Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to Nazareth, a city of Galilee, to Mary , who was pledged to be married to
Joseph, a descendant of David. The angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored
one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”
When she saw the angel, Mary was greatly troubled, and
wondered what kind of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Don’t be
afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in
your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ He will be
great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him
the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob
forever; there will be no end to his Kingdom.”
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a
virgin?”
The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. The holy one born in you
will be called the Son of God. Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a
son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
Nothing spoken by God is impossible.”
Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to
me as you have said.”
For Reflection:
Both
Mary and Zechariah raised questions when told by Gabriel of an impending
miraculous birth. There was a difference, though, between their responses: Mary
didn’t understand; Zechariah didn’t believe. Mary’s ultimate response sounds
much like what Jesus prayed in Gethsemane: “Not my will, but yours, be done.”
Have you ever heard the still, small
voice of God with a message for you personally? Would your response be more
like that of Mary or of Zechariah?
Prayer: Help my willingness to be faithful,
Lord, not be limited by my need to understand.
Helpful devotional - thanks.
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