Many times we focus on the wonderful story of Jesus and miss the message of the story of Mary; a young woman who was entrusted with one of the most important missions in history. Through her womb, the Savior of humanity would be born. Great responsibility, right?
Mary was a young woman living one of the most exciting moments of her life. She was planning her wedding and I can imagine how excited she was about their future. One night, her life is interrupted; an angel appears to Mary with a message that would change her story and ours as well. The angel came to tell her that God had found favor in her and that she would give birth to a son whom she would name Jesus. Mary, at first, feels disturbed by the angel's words and then asks him how she would get pregnant if she had not known a man, she was a virgin. The angel responds by saying: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore also the Holy Being that will be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35
This proposal from God to Mary could bring her serious consequences. Mary is about to marry Joseph, how would she explain to Joseph that she is pregnant if there was still no intimacy between them? And how do you justify your pregnancy to society, when the rumor of your pregnancy spread? I think anyone in her position would be concerned, would ask a thousand questions, and would refuse to carry out what was asked for, abort the mission.
Something in Mary was different, when the angel appears to her he says the following words: Mary, do not fear, because you have found favor with God. Luke 1:30. God saw something in the young Mary, something different in her, to place the responsibility of bringing the Messiah into the world. Do you know what was different in Mary? Her willingness to say YES to God despite the consequences. In verse 38 of Luke 1, Mary responds: I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled. God knew that Maria would honor God first and face the mission with courage.
Mary's life was interrupted by God and she put her plans aside to follow God's instruction. Mary faced the fact that Joseph might not want to marry her, she faced the gossip of the people about her pregnancy outside of marriage, she would take on the responsibility of raising the Son of God made man. Still, Mary said Yes. Mary is worthy of admiration!
From a human perspective, God's intervention filled Mary's life with difficulties. Not only did she face the prejudices of the society of her time, but her pregnancy, running away to save her baby, giving birth in a manger among animals, and later seeing with her own eyes how her son Jesus was unjustly crucified to save us. To pay a debt that WE OWED.
When they went to present Jesus in the Temple, Simeon said to Mary: Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”Luke 2: 34 - 35. How difficult for Mary to know that that little piece of heaven would one day be the reason for great pain in her life! Mary was at the foot of the cross when Jesus was spat on, whipped, and killed so that today, both, you and I may enjoy salvation. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross pierced his mother's heart and filled her with sorrow and pain.
Mary said YES to God despite the immediate and future consequences. Are you willing to say Yes when God interrupts your plans and includes you in a plan greater than yours? Are you willing to pay the price?
As I said before, Mary carried something different when God granted her favor. Let us be women of a different essence, women willing to say Yes Lord, here is your servant, women aligned to his Plan, women ready to change circumstances, change atmospheres, and be willing to be used by God, even if this means canceling our plans and follow His.
