By Amy Schisler
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” ~ Luke 1:38
Mary’s fiat, her yes, changed her life and changed the world. What can we do with our little lives if we say yes to the Lord?
In Mary’s Shoes
Imagine yourself a young Jewish girl, around the age of fourteen, recently betrothed to a man from your village. Your entire life is laid out before you—marriage, a family, a quiet life in the small, inconsequential town of Nazareth, the anticipation of grandchildren, growing old with your husband, and living humbly until the hour of your death. Your heart is full of dreams and promises of a stable future. Then, one day, out of the blue, something happens to you that you’ve heard about but has only happened to the prophets and their wives, something you’ve read about in the Torah and Talmud and marveled at with your classmates. An angel of the Lord appears to share God’s plan with you.
By Mary’s Example
How would you respond to this? How could you possibly understand all that the angel has conveyed? Can you imagine bowing humbly before the angel and saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38)? Impossible? Mary didn’t think so. This child, not fully a woman yet, set a beautiful example for us. Without hesitation, without fearing for her life or her future, without doubting the angel’s words, but with her whole heart, Mary said yes. She said yes to God, to Jesus, and to the world. Saint John Paul the Great said that Mary’s fiat was just the beginning of her walk as a Christian. Mary’s example, that of the first and model Christian, should be the one we strive to follow—to just say yes, wholeheartedly, to God.
Prayer
Mary, our Mother, help us live by your example. Give us the courage and will to say yes to God and to live our lives for Him.
Call to Action
What is God calling you to do? Pray about this, and prepare yourself to say yes, even if it means your life and plans will change.
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I loved this. I am a caregiver for my mother and so appreciate your message. I know that I am giving of myself in the way the Lord wants me to even though some days are very challenging with mom’s memory. Your message reminds me when I have those challenging days that this is my Yes.
By saying, yes, we accept the crosses that go with it. Yours is a heavy one but one that can show those in your world what love, kindness, and compassion are all about. It’s a very special cross to bear. Hugs and prayers for you, Kristie. Have a blessed Christmas season.