2.19.13

Lectio:  Lk 1.26-38                   

Meditatio: “Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel [Gabriel] left her.” Lk1.38

Oratio: O God, how wonderfully You made us -  free in every respect, free to love, sadly even free to hate; but Your gift of free will bestows the greatest aspect of our humanity and You so respect it that You will not force us to do anything unless we say yes.

I remember the greatest example of our freedom was when the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was selected to be the mother of the Son of God; yet her consent was needed in order for Your will to be accomplished.

Grant that I may be always open to Your  will and like Mary, give our fiat, so that Your wishes may be accomplished as You wish through us.                       

I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "handmaid...done"; a ‘handmaid’ is a servant; ‘be it done’ is a clear acceptance of God’s invitation made through Gabriel to be the mother of His Son through the power of the Holy Spirit - What faith on Mary’s part! What love on Mary’s part! In prayer seek the grace to be docile and open to the will of God and then do what He wishes us to do.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 1.39-45