Saturday, December 17, 2016

Scripture Reading  |  Luke 1:26–38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He 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. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The 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. And 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. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then 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. (NRSV)

Reflection
The fear. I can’t imagine the fear Mary experienced. To be told by an angel that she—poor and unwed— is pregnant, and God had a role in this? Maybe it would be anger. Anger and fear. Yet as Gabriel goes on to explain that Mary’s child will be God’s Son, will reign over their people, will spread God’s kingdom far and wide, I can only imagine that the Spirit’s empowering strength must have swept a calming and resilient force over her, because for God, Mary was enough. She was the one whom God trusted to carry God’s baby and liberating leader. She was worthy and good—not perfect, but enough. She didn’t have to be perfect but just the right person whom God had been shaping and loving for so long. And Mary also wasn’t alone. An elder in her family, named Elizabeth, would also be going through this with her, helping her and supporting her. They were in this together.

We’re never alone, and we’re always enough for God. I sometimes have to remind myself of this, because it can be so easy to become overwhelmed by the challenges at hand. Sometimes we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders as if we’re carrying a baby about to be born that will save the world. We’re not Mary though, and we’re definitely not the Savior (thank goodness!). It’s a great relief to know that God’s got my back and my community will help me. The fear and anger may still come, but I have faith that the power of the Holy Spirit will pour over you and me and empower us to be God’s servant too.

Prayer
Empowering God, help us remember that we’re always enough for you and that we’re never alone. Amen.

Written by Abbi Heimach-Snipes, Pastoral Resident

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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