Well, this wonderful book got me thinking about Our Mother, Mary and most especially the Joyful Mysteries. I plan to have a reflection over all the decades but I'm going to start out with one near and dear to my heart, the Annunciation.
"Mary gave her consent of faith at the Annunciation and maintained it without hesitation at the foot of the Cross" (CCC 2674)
Before I pray the Rosary, sometimes I look up the recommended scripture component to refresh my mind as to what I should be focusing on while I pray. When I did this, it showed me Luke 1:30-33 which begins with the angel asking Mary to not be afraid for "[she] has found favor with God" (Luke 1:30). Gabriel then explains that Mary will conceive and bear a Son, Jesus who will be "great and will be called Son of the Most High and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father" Luke 1:32-33.
It amazes me that this is all that is included in the Annunciation. Well yes, that seems to sum up the main part but there's so much more to the story! Mary was afraid of the angel Gabriel, sent by God. "It is God himself who, through his angel as intermediary, greets Mary" [CCC 2676, 722]. God, (with the help of His angel as mediator) surprises Mary by his presence. [I must say I would be in shock if an angel appeared to me...if only Mary knew what message the angel was bringing...!] Mary in response, ponders at the greeting (Luke 1:29). Long story short, Mary is unsure if this is truly God coming to her.
The angel explains everything to Mary (Luke 1:31-33) but she then begins asking questions. Yes, Mary, Our Mother, is confused and even unsure of the message from the angel. She questions God as to how His plan will work (Luke 1:34). The angel explains the great mystery of the conception of Jesus (Luke 1:35-37) as the Holy Spirit will come upon Mary and even Elizabeth will be with child.
Mary was overwhelmed, even afraid of God's presence- and that idea surprises us? Of course she was overwhelmed! An angel just appeared to her explaining she was to become pregnant with the Son of God. Talk about a confusing day... How many times are we afraid of God's presence in our own lives? How often do we not want Him to take over our plans? (personally I don't have enough fingers and toes to count...) Mary questions God's plans because they don't make sense to her (understandable...). but how often do we turn away because God's plans don't seem to fit or don't make sense to us?
We are so blessed that Mary's story does not end with all these questions. After these few questions (I would be asking a lot more questions and doubting the whole plan if I were her! ...hence why I'm not...!) Mary says her beautiful yes: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word" Luke 1:38. Mary gave herself up, surrendered herself completely to God's will. "Mary, because of her faith, became the mother of believers, through whom all nations of the earth recieve him who is God's own blessing..." (CCC 2676) Mary's yes helps us all grow closwer to her Son. "...we can entrust all our cares and petitions to her: she prays for us as she prayed: 'Let it be to me according to your word' by entrusting ourselves to her prayer, we abandon ourselves to the will of God together with her: 'Thy will be done.'" (CCC 2676)
