|
31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a
son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be
called the Son of the Most High,
Attitude is a mind-set that
triggers a person’s situation specific, views and perspectives. We should
always realize that with a positive attitude, every opportunity may have
difficulty and every difficulty may have opportunities. At the end, what
we have harvested in our life is directly related to our attitude of
approaching any challenge and mission ahead.
In today’s Gospel (above reference), we hear the words spoken by the
angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of Nazareth who was betrothed to Joseph,
of the house of David. The annunciation to Mary was not a simple
thing. Her attitude, complete submission and surrender to the divine call
equipped her for this mission and her call as the mother of God.
To this good news she responded positively. This response was
the driving force in this great event. Mary’s submission is very
important. She was ready to do whatever God says.
The Holy Spirit was the author and the initiator of this divine call.
Here the angel told Mary that her son would be equal to the most high
God. Humanly, Jesus was David’s physical descendant through Mary’s
line.
This section speaks clearly, of the virgin conception of Jesus. The
virgin birth of Jesus has been emphasized. Both Luke and Mathew expressly
state that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived. The Holy Spirit
wrought the conception through supernatural means.
The conception was the work of Holy Spirit, the eternal second person of
the Trinity. So, the nature of Christ’s conception emphasises His deity
and sinlessness, being fully God and fully man. How does Mary respond to
the Word of God? The annunciation to Virgin Mary “greetings, portrays
Mary as a recipient, not a dispenser of divine grace. Mary was in an
extremely embarrassing and difficult position. Betrothed to Joseph, she
faced the stigma of unwed motherhood and would be accused of adultery.
But she willingly and graciously submitted to the will of God. She was
ready to risk her life for the sake of divine mission. She was willing to
take the risk and ready to go up any extend. She knew she was hearing
something beyond human capability. She was full of grace because
she trusted that what God said was true and would be fulfilled. She was
willing and eager to do God's will, even if it seemed difficult or
costly.
Through the Holy Spirit, God sends His son to the world. Mary believed
the promise of God. Nothing will be impossible with God. Yes, nothing
will be impossible to God. Like Mary we have to submit ourselves into
God's hands and say “here am I, let it be with me as you will and
according to your Word. God, you take the lead”.
God gives us grace and He expects us to respond with the same
willingness, obedience, and to fully trust God as Mary did. When
God commands, He also gives us His help, strength, and means to respond.
|