Divine Conversation

Fra Angelico

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.

^{Luke 1: 34-36}

Last week we prayed with the lightning and thunder that accompanies an angel’s

announcement to a young woman.

This week I want to consider the middle of the story.  Between the angel’s appearance and Mary’s yes, Luke recounts an extraordinary conversation-a divine exchange of information, hope and possibility.

The angel tells Mary about the work of the Holy Spirit, in symbolic language that she understands, in part.  The image, particularly of the overshadowing cloud of the Spirit, echoes in her as she recalls the cloud that led the Israelites in the wilderness.

Surely, this same cloud will lead her through her own wilderness of an unexpected pregnancy and a child called ‘Son of God.’  The scripture tells us that she is perplexed.  She is also brave enough to initiate a conversation with an angel.

In this middle way of the annunciation story, Mary models for us what it means to come to God in uncertainty.  When we enter the divine conversation or prayer with both uncertainty and willingness to hear, we are following the footsteps of Mary.

Advent can be a time for both a piercing message from God and a quiet wondering with God.  Advent is surely a time to consider your prayer life in a new way as the whole Church awaits the coming of Christ.

In quiet moments or in whirling activity, let us each take a cue from Mary. 

Stop when the message resounds in you, and offer a listening heart to God.

Blessings,

Debra