Reflection on Luke 1: 26–38 | 3rd Friday of Advent, Year C – 2024
Have you ever experienced an
unexpected event? We all, regardless of our circumstance – whether rich or
poor, healthy or unwell, thriving or struggling – encounter moments that catch
us off guard and demand quick action. Last week, a dear friend of mine faced
one of these moments. It was deeply stressful – though, of course, not all
unexpected events are negative. She had lost her job and was asked to leave.
Questioning why this had happened, she began to feel her entire life was unravelling:
her mortgage, her long-distance relationship, even whether she could keep the
heating on. Struggling to make sense of this sudden and unfortunate change, she
confided in me, wondering if her managers had seen her as incompetent or inadequate.
To console her, and in my sincere belief, I reminded her of her strengths, professionalism,
and resilience, assuring her that everything would improve. Yet, her experience
is not unique; we all face unfavourable turn of events.
On this second Friday of Advent,
the Gospel1 invites us to reflect on a very human experience – Mary’s encounter
with the angel Gabriel. Though a woman of faith, we see that Mary was disturbed
by her visitor and even questioned his message. ‘How can this come about, since
I am a virgin?’ she asked when told she would bear a child and become the
Mother of God. This reaction is profoundly human – an honest questioning in the
face of something unimaginable.
Other key figures in the Gospel
too, such as the disciples, questioned Jesus when confronted with challenges
beyond their understanding. The disciples, for instance, asked, ‘How can one
feed these people with one bread in the desert?’ Their question reflected doubt
in Jesus’ ability to accomplish what seemed impossible.
Mary’s questioning mirrors our
own when unexpected hardships strike - whether it is losing a job, facing an uncertain
future, or grappling with troubling news. In these moments, we often panic,
freeze, and struggle to find direction. Fear and despondency grip us, but the
Gospel calls us to take a different path when we face situations that
appear beyond our ability to comprehend: to recourse
to God, who makes all things possible. Mary, though a great woman of
faith, questioned God. Yet in the end, she trusted that He would not leave her
with a task beyond her abilities. With this reassurance, she was able to respond,
‘Let what you have said be done to me.’
When we encounter unexpected
events that threaten our existence, we must trust in God and the journey He is
taking us on. If we remain trapped in doubt and invest solely on our own
resources, we risk missing an - if not many - opportunities to do great things
for God. Consider Mary’s impact she left on the Church. Her trust and her ‘yes’
changed history forever. Her response allowed Jesus to enter time and space, transforming
hearts across continents. Her yes allowed Jesus to make known God’s love to the
rich and poor alike, uniting people of all nations as His children.
Imagine what we could accomplish
if we, like Mary, surrendered to God’s will with those same words: ‘let what
you have said be done to me.’ By trusting in God’s plans, we open ourselves to
being instruments of change in the world. Like Mary, we can allow God to work
through us, changing hearts and building bridges where there is division. In
the Middle East, Europe, the South China Sea, and every corner of the world, courageous
hearts are needed – hearts ready to surrender, to serve, and to leave an
indelible mark of peace and renewal with the grace of God for generations to
come.
In the face of the most
unexpected events, this Gospel calls us to vigilance against the sin of doubt as
we prepare for the coming of the Christ child. No matter how uncertain God’s
will may seem, it is in providence that we are called to trust and follow. Do
not let the question ‘how can this be’ inhibit us from doing great things this
Christmas.
1 If you are after an excellent translation of the Bible [click here]. I have also left a hyperlink in the body of the blog for your convenience. However, the New Revised Standard Version by Thomas Nelson can be found [here]. ↩
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