Mary was at the foot of Jesus' crib in the days following his birth and at the foot of his cross when he died. She is the new Eve and our Mother in faith. Mary's encounter with the archangel Gabriel is a heaven-meets-earth moment, retold very powerfully by Luke, the master storyteller.
Of course, we now know that Mary was closer to heaven than any other creature, because she had been conceived without original sin. This singular and privileged grace doesn't, however, detract from the sheer power and drama of the appearance of the archangel. We don't know any background details about the moment the angel appeared, but what we do know is that Mary said "Yes" to God's plan of salvation, and that her consent - her agreement and acceptance - was crucial in ensuring that God's plan of salvation not only got underway, but was fulfilled. It was as if, for a moment in time, our eternal salvation was on a knife edge - for God does not coerce or force us.
Mary's consent, her warm embrace of God's will, meant that in the fullness of time God sent his Son born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law. Mary's "Yes" meant that through the gift of baptism the new birth we could receive our full rights as children of God - for that is what we are! No wonder that, as we shall learn, John the Baptist leapt with joy in the womb. No wonder the angelic host sang, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests" {Luke 2:14 NIV], for it first rested on Mary, the virgin from Nazareth.
Lord, may I conceive your word through faith and give birth to Christ through my witness, love and service.
[Taken from Bible alive 20th December 2017]
