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NOTHING WILL BE
IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD THE REV. JOHN E. KITAGAWA ____ THE THIRD SUNDAY IN
ADVENT ____ PROVERBS 8: 22-31 ISAIAH 7: 10-15 MALACHI 3: 1-6 LUKE 1: 26-38
P.O. VOICE: 520-299-6421 FAX: 520-299-0712 E-MAIL: WEB SITE: WWW.STPHILIPSTUCSON.ORG |
More
than once, I have heard people dismiss the veneration of Mary as “too
Catholic” and therefore to be dismissed as so much mythology. Others find Mary distant and unattainable
because she has been elevated to such a lofty place in the life of the
Church. No doubt, Mary has a special
place as the mother of God—Theotokos in Greek. No doubt, Gabriel’s visit to announce God’s
special intentions for Mary is an experience few of us share. Not many have such a clear and firm grasp
of their faith that they respond to God with such conviction and passion. In truth, only a few are called to such
prominent roles in salvation history. Yet,
the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures show all of us the way to anticipate then rejoice
in the coming of Jesus Christ. The
love, mercy and grace of God are freely given to those who are open to them,
no matter how high or low our "estate" might be. All of us are blessed people to whom Jesus has
come and will come. All of us have
opportunities, to be significant actors in the salvation history of another
person, or when we are in community, the salvation history of a community or
entire region. I find myself feeling a deep sense of
kinship with Mary as Scripture tells us she was "perplexed" (Luke How can this be, since I am a virgin? (Luke 1: 34b). In
other words, "what you ask is impossible." Or, "this cannot take place, it defies
logic." Gabriel goes on to share the
startling news about Mary's kinswoman, Elizabeth, who was pregnant at a very
advanced age. Gabriel concluded with
these powerful and reassuring words (Luke Nothing will be impossible with God (Luke In
the end, Mary responded: Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me
according to your word (Luke 1: 38b). Mary's response to her vocational call was
similar to that of other Biblical figures.
Go back and read about the call of the prophets. The initial response is frequently along
the lines of "what you ask is impossible" or "who
me?" Yet, in the end, having
listened and considered God's call, each responded affirmatively and became
instruments of God's plan. So it is
with us. We are quick to call on
God. We are fairly articulate about
what we want God to do or be for us.
Yet, when God asks us to consider what God wants us to do and be, we
are perplexed, wondering why God might seek me out. How often is
our reaction, "that's impossible," or "who, me?" when we
have an inkling of what God wants of us?
The difference between Mary and us is that she overcame her initial reservations
quickly. We do not know how, but her
faith formation made it possible to assert her willingness to be obedient to
God's call, and to become a vessel for God's will. Therein lies the
challenge for us. Therein lies our spiritual struggle. What intentional steps are we taking to be
formed and shaped by the Holy Spirit so we too can overcome our fears and make
a statement of faith, and then live by it?
Mary was a poor, most likely, uneducated peasant girl. She stands as an inspiration for us
all. Her capacity to allow God to act in
and through her serves as a strong witness to what can happen when we seek God,
and are open to God's will. In a time and culture where self-fulfillment
has become the secular doctrine of salvation, Mary exemplifies the kind of
self-sacrifice and humility necessary to follow Jesus Christ. In a society where individualism and
individual rights are given supreme importance, Mary shows us the ultimate
importance of acting for the well-being of others. God’s call to Mary to be the chosen vessel of
the Incarnation should be an object lesson.
God chooses any and all of us to be witnesses to God’s redeeming and
reconciling love, mercy and grace. At
a time when instant gratification is the norm, Mary exemplifies what can
happen when people wait with expectation and anticipation for the transforming
power of God's love. Mary is a prime
example of what it means to live grounded in a profound trust and a deep
faith in God. It was through Mary's
willingness to become vulnerable to God, it was
through her serenity that she became an instrument of God's love, peace and
power. |
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
listen and look for God calling you. Do
not expect Gabriel to come knocking at your front door. God wants you to know God’s purpose for you,
but the one God sends to you may be the least likely person or through unforeseeable
circumstances. It is likely that you
will find God's call perplexing because you will immediately know that it may
disrupt the path of your life considerably.
Doubtless, you will react with, "Who, me?", or "That's
impossible." But, remember what
Gabriel said to Mary: "Nothing will
be impossible with God." Trust in
God. Give thanks for, rejoice in, and
follow Mary’s witness and example. When
you do, you too will be a bearer of the eternal Word made flesh.
O higher than the cherubim,
more glorious than the
seraphim,
lead their praises, Allelulia!
Thou bearer of the eternal Word,
most gracious, magnify
the Lord,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia![1]
AMEN.