Willingness to Participate

Advent invites us to reflect on Mary’s yes and its implications for our own lives. Her obedience opened the way for the Incarnation, calling us to recognize our role in bearing the Word into the world. Through baptism, we too say, “Be it unto me according to your Word,” committing to bring Christ to fruition in our actions. Annunciations are events of infinite and immense silence, for all that the Gospel records of conversation. Like Mary, we are called to embrace God’s invitations, even when they seem incomprehensible or daunting. Each Eucharist reminds us of this shared calling. As the cup is passed, we confront the challenge and grace of saying yes. Mary teaches us that our willingness to participate in God’s unfolding work is essential, no matter our hesitation or uncertainty.

May we, like Mary, embrace God’s invitations with courage and trust,
bearing Christ into the world through our lives of faithful yes.

(inspired by Maggie Ross, The Fire of Your Life)