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Gospel Reading for December 12, 2024 – Luke 1: 26-38
CONFIRMATION
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And cominge to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He 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, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “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 called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
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There are Christian denominations claiming that Mary doubted God when she said, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” Of course Mary had to know how she would bear a son without having relations with a man. She had to know what would happen to her. We can say she doubted God only if she said, “This cannot possibly be!” After the angel told her how she would conceive, she gave her consent. This, despite the punishment of death which is given to those who conceive without a husband. Her “yes” was a CONFIRMATION of her strong faith in God; that nothing is impossible with God and she was going to be protected from that punishment.
Why people from some Christian denominations keep picking on Mary, trying to find fault in her, is really puzzling. Mary did not just give birth to Jesus, but nursed and nurtured him all the way into his manhood. Mary was not a gestational carrier or a surrogate mother who was impregnated through “in vitro fertilization.” It was God’s Spirit who came upon her and overshadowed her with power, but it was from her flesh that Jesus was conceived and was born. For this, we honor her greatly and are full of gratitude. IF WE TRULY LOVE JESUS, we would appreciate Mary’s role in God’s plan of salvation.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, teach us to be like you in your obedience to the Father’s will and in being a faithful follower of your Son, Jesus!
