Today’s celebration of the Annunciation is apt, even as have completed Lent, and have begun Easter. This is the celebration of the incarnation of Jesus, all hinged on Mary’s Yes.

Indeed this is a moment to reflect and internalise. In the First reading, Ahaz is not keen on trusting a God, he does not know much about. Though he knows about the Exodus, the Conquest of the Promised Land, David finding favour with God, the building of the Temple which stood even to his day, he has had no personal connect with Yahweh, because he was not taught and shown the ways of Yahweh. He rather wanted to imitate the Assyrians and their religion, because of the prosperity and might they processed. He did not know that sorrow and grief are vehicles of God’s grace, to draw closer to God and have Him reign in our lives.

Mary an orphan, on the other hand had accepted her circumstances, and concentrated on growing closer to God. She probably had some level of awareness (possibly like the prophet Samuel), of God, and of being in a relationship with God. So she was not afraid like Zechariah, when the Angel Gabriel announces himself, in her presence. She has a wits about herself, but in all humility she asks questions to understand what God is asking of her. Sounds a little like doubting Thomas, nay; this is the proper way to come before God. God does not impose anything upon us, always gives us the option to differ or say no. What is amazing is after understanding the depth of the option before her, Mary says Yes. This faith of Mary is not an overnight level of faith. It is something she has grown into, by continually coming before God and waiting on Him.

We find the full extent of Mary’s understanding of her circumstances and her humility in the Magnificat. God is now going to become Human, settle down with humanity for good, and she, Mary, is going to be the channel of this grace for humanity.

Let us join her in saying to God, ‘be it done to me according to you will. Just like Mary, come and reside in us and reign in our lives and through our lives.’