“Behold the handmaid of the Lord…” ~ reflex on Luke 1:26-38

Today’s Gospel is the pivot point in all of human history, all of salvation history, all of eternity. This moment when an angel brings a stupendous message to a young virgin in Galilee is the moment on which everything hinges – everything has been leading to this moment, all of history cascades from this moment, and it all depends on the heart of this young maiden, on her conformity to the will of God with immense faith and loving obedience.

Some pious writers have imagined all of Heaven peering down in anticipation, as if they are wondering whether she will say “yes.” Of course she will; she is free to say no, but her heart and soul were prepared from all eternity and preserved from all stain of Original Sin, so that she was uniquely free with the Original Freedom and Original Innocence that Adam and Eve were given. Gabriel refers to her as “FULL of grace.” In this unique state of nearness to God, she cannot refuse His will. While God has done everything up until now, it is also true that what He does in us, He does only with our active cooperation; it is necessary for Mary to surrender her will – actively WILL what God wills – in order for the Incarnation to happen within her.

And so, with majestic power and virginal simplicity, she replies, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

In that moment, the Davidic king who will rule over the nations, save us from our sin, fulfill every Old Testament prophecy about Israel and Judah and freedom and more becomes enfleshed, real, one of us; in that moment, the Gospel is realized, Adam’s fall is undone, salvation is made possible, the reign of God with us begins. In that moment, when the one who is “full of grace” utters her humble yes in loving submission to the will of God, Love becomes Flesh and dwells among us, forever and always to remain with us, forever and always to remain human and divine. With her submissive word, the Word becomes Flesh. In that moment, the daughter of God becomes the Mother of God, and therefore, Mother of us all.

For hundreds of years, Catholics have commemorated this profound mystery by praying the Angelus three times each day – at morning, noon, and evening. If this is not yet part of your daily prayer, consider adding it before your Grace at mealtimes, to ponder and give thanks for this great Gift!