MONDAY Luke 1:26-38
• The angel said to Mary, “Greetings, you who are highly favored!” But that didn’t mean tinsel and bright lights, much less luxury and comfort. Mary’s “favored” life brought her great challenges—starting with explaining her pregnancy to her fiancé and (probably) her parents. Do you sometimes wish God’s favor toward you meant only happiness and ease? How does Mary’s life show the sacrifices God’s favor may call for?
• What would you look for if you had to choose the Messiah’s mother? Why would God choose Mary? One major sign lies in her reply to the angel: “I am the Lord’s servant…. May your word to me be fulfilled.” How can you respond to God as she did?
Today’s Reflection by Ben Trawick
On an average day in my life I get asked to do lots of things. Sometimes my wife will ask me to do something for her, or my boss at work will give me a task that needs completing. Each time this happens I’m presented with a choice. I can be obstinate and unhelpful, which happens more often than I’d like, or I can do the task gladly with a smile on my face. In today’s reading an angel comes to Mary and tells her that she will have a son who will be the savior of the world. She’s been chosen because she is “highly favored” in God’s eyes. Whoa, wait, back the truck up! Shouldn’t Mary’s “highly favored” status mean that she gets to live the good life for God? This sounds like it’s gonna be hard! She will have to explain to her fiancé, and probably her parents, that this is God’s son she’s carrying. The people in her town, her friends, and probably her family would never accept this explanation. So how does Mary respond? By putting her foot down and saying absolutely not? No. She replies, “I am the Lord’s servant… May your will be fulfilled in me.” Take a moment today to think about how you will respond when God calls you into action. Will you turn away and pretend you didn’t hear? Or will you answer the call and be the servant you were created to be? Oh, and don’t forget to do that thing your boss asked you to do!
One Comment
sandy
Thanks for your insight, Ben. I was struck yesterday with the new thought…how DID Mary explain this to her mom? Joseph got an angel explanation, but Mary’s mom is still in the “yeah, right” mode. She had a hard thing to do, too, given the times and circumstances.
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