By Suetta Miller, a senior molecular biology/biochemistry major from Goshen
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 (NRSV)
“Let it be to me according to your word.”
-The Blessed Virgin, Mary of Nazareth
Saint Luke the Physician, careful historian that he was, asked eyewitnesses what they had experienced as he was writing his gospel. He sought to give an “orderly account” so that those he was writing to would know the certainty of the things they have been taught about Jesus of Nazareth. I can imagine Saint Luke sitting, pen poised, as he listened to the Blessed Virgin, Mary, recounting her experiences. Mary heard the angel Gabriel’s words, “Rejoice, highly favored one!” She had “found favor with God.” She would bear the Saviour of our souls, a messianic king whose kingdom would never end, who would be called the Son of the Most High.
Imagine Mary’s emotions as she remembered these events. “Yes,” she had said, “I am God’s maidservant; Let it be to me as you have said!” There was no holding back for the Blessed Virgin, who would willingly let the Holy Spirit come upon her, willingly let the power of the God of all creation “overshadow” her. Saint Luke employs the term “overshadow,” which is also used in the Old Testament Scriptures. The unapproachable glory of God “overshadowed” the finished tabernacle, the portable place of worship in the desert, so that even Moses was not able to enter (Exodus 40:29). Blessed Mary was a willing (“Let it be!”) tabernacle for Jesus, the Son of God. Let us follow her lead this Advent season, joyfully saying with her, “Let it be to me according to your word!”
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 (NRSV)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.