May it be Done According to Your Word

I have always had a deep love and respect for Mary, and that has truly grown over this past year when I completed my Marian Consecration this past year reading 33 Days to Morning Glory and as I study Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother with my book club.  I especially love days like today when we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary, and praise that she not only carried out a life without sin but that she was conceived without sin and always chosen for God's special plan. 

Mary Mother of God

I love the Gospel today from Luke 1:38:  Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word."  I reflect often on that "may it be done to me according to your word".  How many times does God ask me to do something and I say "maybe" or "next week" or even doubt God thinking, "I'm not sure that is what you REALLY want me to do God!"  But, then there's Mary and her response " may it be done to me according to your word." 

What Mary was asked to do was very controversial in her times.  It was against her morals and values to be pregnant during a betrothal, and she knew that she would be ridiculed and judged.  Yet, she still said "yes"!  I know that God also asks me to do things that are out of my comfort zone, that might be controversial, but that he is still asking me to say yes!

God is asking me to disrupt my life, to trust him, and to answer his call.  As this Advent continues I want to try every day to really listen in prayer to what God is asking of me and calling me to, reflect, and then say "yes".  Not yes in 2 weeks or, as soon as I finish this activity, but yes, God I trust in you and may it be done according to your word. 

Mary and Jesus at the Cloisters